Vol. 395 No. 9
169 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Energy if any stockbroking and/or corporate finance or investment advice was paid for by his Department in the 12 months ended 31 January 1990; if so, the amount paid; the persons to whom payments were made; and if, in each case, those engaged tendered for the work given them.
My Department paid an amount of £492,442.44 for services of the type indicated by the Deputy, relating to the State's disposal of its interests in Tara Mines Limited. Competitive quotations, which would have normally arisen from a conventional tendering process, were not sought as it could have been detrimental to the State's interest in this particular instance.
