asked the Taoiseach if he will state whether any members of the Government hold company directorships and, if so, if he will indicate who the members are and what directorships they hold.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministers: Company Directorships.
asked the Taoiseach if members of the Government who held directorships or had controlling interests in firms with which they were connected immediately prior to taking up their posts as members of the Government have resigned such directorships or divested themselves of such interests.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
I must invite the attention of the Deputies to my reply to a question on the same subject which was addressed to me in this House on the 5th June last. What I then said applies now both to the Ministers who were at that time in office and to the two Ministers who have since been newly appointed: namely, no Minister holds any position that could reasonably be regarded as interfering, or being incompatible, with the full and proper discharge by him of the duties of his office, such as a company directorship carrying remuneration.
It is, perhaps, right that I should add, however, that, as the culmination of work which was begun by a Minister over two years ago—that is, about a year before his entry upon office as a Minister—a certain private company was formed and recently registered. In the Articles of Association of that company, the Minister was named as one of the first directors. He has, however, resigned from that position.
Might I inquire whether the Taoiseach has seen the report published in the daily papers on last Thursday to the effect that a certain business establishment in County Donegal gives the name of a citizen, "N.T. Blaney", as director? Can the Taoiseach say whether the person so named is the present Minister for Local Government?
I do not know to what establishment the Deputy refers. I made a statement in answer to the question put down that a certain private company was formed as a result of work done about two years ago and that one of the Ministers was mentioned as a director and that he has since resigned.
Can the Taoiseach say if the Minister mentioned is the present Minister for Local Government?
I have said all I want to say.
May I further inquire——
The point is that no Minister holds any position which is incompatible with his being Minister.
May I take it then that in the event of the report published being incorrect the Taoiseach will take steps——
That is a separate question.