Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 6

Written Answers. - Possession of Official Information.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Question:

83 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he has investigated the way in which Deputy Michael Ferris came into possession of official information about to go to Cabinet in relation to a proposed industrial project at Clonmel, County Tipperary.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

The Industrial Development Authority has assured me that the details that emerged did not in any way alter the fact that the AST Corporation were in sustained and substantial negotiations with the Tandy Corporation, which they did not inform IDA about.

The agreement that was arrived at between IDA and the company still stands because the company had, independently, availed of an opportunity to purchase another particular competitor in the rapidly changing electronics sector. The company sought and has received from IDA a space of 90 days within which to consider the offer that is on the table from IDA.

Sensitive information regarding planned industrial investment in this country must remain restricted and confidential at all times. What is premature and, to say the least, damaging, in this particular case is to infer that the project has been lost to Scotland. Regrettably, the manner in which this matter is being politicised by the Deputies can only serve to undermine ongoing negotiations between the IDA and the company.