Vol. 512 No. 3
41 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has met the residents involved in the STAD case since 3 November 1999; the position in relation to financial assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25998/99]
I refer the Deputy to my previous reply of 3 November 1999. The position remains unchanged. I would much prefer to elaborate on that.
I cannot believe the Minister of State has been so inactive since the last time I raised this matter. The situation is unchanged. Perhaps he could elaborate on why it is unchanged.
The answer on the last occasion stated: "There is an outstanding request for a meeting—"
Is that a special request?
The Minister of State without interruption.
That curt answer is not the way I like to do things.
Outstanding in its own field.
The answer reads:
Further details have been requested from the residents [that is the explanation] about the items to be discussed. When this information is received a meeting can be arranged. There has been ongoing contact between my officials and the residents' solicitor.
The Government has already committed itself to providing up to £400,000 mainly towards the cost of research activities being undertaken by the residents. The Government has also offered a second package of financial assistance relating to defined areas of work by the residents' legal team arising from their research activities. A total of £145,000 has been paid for research activities to date.
Does the Minister of State feel we are getting value for money for this State support?
That is a difficult one. We will not know until the case is heard and we know whether it is successful. We are conscious that we must get value for money and that we are dealing with taxpayers' money.
