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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Nov 1990

Vol. 402 No. 6

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Goodman Group.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

14 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when his attention was first drawn to the difficulties facing the Goodman Group as a result of the situation in the Middle East; the action he took as a result; the discussions he had with the EC Commissioner for Agriculture regarding the difficulties of the Goodman Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As the Taoiseach indicated to the House on 24 October 1990, on being informed on 18 August last by the Investment Bank of Ireland of the difficulties facing the Goodman Group, he summoned a meeting of available relevant Ministers and senior officials to consider the matter.

This was the point at which I first became aware of the group's difficulties, apart from some media reports and suggestions that the group was in difficulty in the week or so preceding 18 August. The Taoiseach has already indicated to the House on 24 October the action taken to deal with the situation. I had no discussions with Commissioner MacSharry regarding the difficulties of the Goodman Group as such; the Commissioner and I discussed on a number of occasions at the time measures to assist the beef sector as a whole in the light of the difficult market facing the sector and of the implications for the sector of the Goodman Group's difficulties.

Would the Minister inform the House what meetings he had, if any, with the Goodman Group or representatives of the Goodman Group; if he made any representations to any bank at home or abroad in connection with the financial position of the Goodman Group, and if he or any other Minister had discussions with representatives of the Goodman Group with regard to the restoration of the export credit insurance fund?

I am happy to tell the Deputy that I had no discussions with the Goodman Group at that time or any relevant time and the answer to each part of the Deputy's question is an emphatic no. Let me also state, categorically and emphatically, in response to the suggestion by Deputy Rabbitte in this House that I, on the instructions of the Taoiseach, changed an Estimate for the Department of Agriculture and Food which had been fixed by the Government — I regret that Deputy Rabbitte is not here now — that it was a total fabrication and I hope Deputy Rabbitte will have the grace to come in to withdraw the implication against both the Taoiseach and me.

On the occasion of the announcement of the big food processing joint venture with the Goodman organisation, what steps did the Government and the Minister in particular take to ensure that Goodman International would deliver on that huge project?

That does not arise from this question. Another matter will arise shortly with which my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Walsh, will deal.

It does and it will be asked again.

Arising out of this continuing saga, may I ask the Minister if events have not proven the wisdom and the righteousness behind bringing special legislation before the House; if despite all the blackguarding that went on over there — there was not much support for it either from those behind the Minister — the tragedy of the Goodman operation disappearing has been averted; and if the remarks trotted out in this House not only by Deputy Rabbitte but by other less informed people who besides shooting their mouths off shot down the very thing that was keeping our beef trade in action, should now be withdrawn?

This is Question Time. Let us have a reply to question No. 15.

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