asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether the Secretary of his Department is personally interested in a private business firm; and, if so, whether he considers it advisable that civil servants, especially those connected with Departments concerned with the issue of licences, should be personally associated with such business firms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Servants and Business Firms.
The Secretary of my Department has an interest in a private business firm. That interest was acquired by inheritance and was disclosed to the Minister for Industry and Commerce at the time of acquisition. The permission of the Minister, as required by the rule and practice of the Civil Service, was sought and obtained.
Each case of the kind mentioned by the Deputy in the second part of his question must be considered by reference to its particular circumstances. I am fully satisfied that the association of the Secretary of my Department with the private business firm in which he has an interest does not conflict in any way with the interests of my Department or the public either in connection with the issue of licences or otherwise.
Could the Minister state if it is a fact that the firm in which the Secretary of the Department is interested is one which has occasion to apply to the Department for licences of one kind or another?
That may be so, but I am satisfied that that firm has not obtained any facilities from my Department to which it was not legally entitled.