Vol. 545 No. 3
9 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the special conditions which attach to the Government's share in a company (details supplied); if the issue of a regulator will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30060/01]
As Minister, I hold a single special share in Greencore plc. That share has the same monetary value as any other share in the company but has conditions attached which prevent the company from engaging in a number of activities without the prior written consent of the Minister. In summary, the special share prevents the disposal of the controlling interest in Irish Sugar plc., or the sugar assets including the Irish sugar quota, and prevents a single shareholder or group of shareholders acting together from gaining control of Greencore plc.
The question of appointing a regulator has been raised. However, I regard this as a mechanism to deal with the issue in the longer term rather than as a solution to the current impasse.
