Vol. 496 No. 1
44 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the further action, if any, he has taken, following the Adjournment debate on the sale of lands at Glen Ding; if he has asked the Comptroller and Auditor General to examine the original terms of the sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21978/98]
I indicated in the Adjournment debate on this matter on 30 September 1998 that I was happy to co-operate fully with any examination the House might wish to carry out and to facilitate the Committee of Public Accounts in any such examination.
I understand the Comptroller and Auditor General is currently reviewing the papers relating to the sale of these lands.
The Minister has indicated that he will give every assistance. Has he any idea as to when that subject matter might be dealt with?
I felt that might be a good procedure. The Committee of Public Accounts subsequently took that up and approached the Comptroller and Auditor General. That is in progress at the moment. I think Deputy Howlin, who raised the matter on the Adjournment, would probably regard it as a satisfactory development.
Has the Minister any evidence that might indicate there was something incorrect with the sale of the lands?
No, not at all. The question has been asked repeatedly and it was raised again here on the Adjournment. People have suggested from time to time that there should be another tribunal or an inquiry. In relation to any suggestion of an irregularity, as I stated previously on the Adjournment, the Secretary-General and the Accounting Officer of my Department, who has reviewed the relevant papers, has advised that there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that there is an impropriety of any kind in this matter. As I stated previously on the Adjournment, the Secretary General and Accounting Officer of my Department who has reviewed the relevant papers has advised that there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest any impropriety of any kind in this matter.
I would also refer the House to the reply by the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Ivan Yates, to a parliamentary question on 15 May 1997 which sets out in detail the circumstances surrounding the sale of these lands. Notwithstanding that, there is some unease about some aspects of it. An examination by the Committee of Public Accounts, in conjunction with the Comptroller and Auditor General, might deal with the concerns expressed.
