Dick Spring
Ceist:2 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he has met either or both of the Greencore inspectors in their official capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Cesiteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with Greencore Inspector.
I have had a meeting as Taoiseach with one of the Greencore inspectors at his request. It was a short meeting at which he wanted to emphasise the concern of both his colleague and himself of the distinct possibility as they saw it then of a possible statement in court regarding costs by the Minister for Industry and Commerce which in their view might impugn their professional integrity. I took account of what he said and subsequent events showed that no such statement was made in court.
Will the Taoiseach confirm that he also met at least one of the inspectors when he was Minister for Finance and that the purpose of that meeting was to deal with a complaint by the inspectors about undue harassment?
I have no difficulty in answering the question but I have a difficulty in relation to the second half of the question which was ruled out of order by the General Office. In case anybody might misinterpret that I was trying to hide behind that, yes I met one of the inspectors at the end of October when I was Minister for Finance at which time there was considerable controversy as to whether fees, agreed with the Department of Justice, would be paid. That controversy had gone on for a matter of four or five weeks and consequently the inspectors were on the point of going back to court to see whether they would continue with their job or whether they would have to take an action to have the agreement implemented. At the time I spoke to the inspector the Government had already accepted the fact that an agreement was in place and that that agreement would be honoured. I relayed that information to the inspector concerned and they went back to their work.
I take it from what the Taoiseach has said that he gave assurances to the inspector that they would be allowed time to complete their work? Is the Taoiseach aware that detailed notes were kept by both inspectors in relation to all aspects of their work and that those notes have been offered to the Attorney General? Has the Taoiseach discussed this matter with the Attorney General?
No information in relation to notes was conveyed to me at those meetings. I am not aware of what notes the inspectors took. They are officers of the court and it is a matter for themselves as to how they operate.
May I ask the Taoiseach if in his discussions with the inspectors, and particularly in relation to the level of fees which he said arose at the discussions, he expressed concern at the level of fees being charged and if he sought an explanation as to how these fees were arrived at?
The level of fees to which the Deputy refers were questioned by the Department of Finance in the first instance. In fact, the briefing fee was done away with in the early stages. Unfortunately, the Department of Finance found themselves in a position where a prior agreement had been entered into on the rate to be paid. Certainly, we expressed our views and they were well known at the time but, as an agreement had been entered into, the agreement had to be honoured. We would not expect the same level of fees to be agreed in the future by anyone in such circumstances.
(Limerick East): Will the Taoiseach confirm that the inspector he met was Ciaran Foley? Second, may I ask him if the inspector indicated that he was being put under undue pressure by either the Minister for Industry and Commerce or any other Minister and if he will state what communication he had with the Minister for Industry and Commerce subsequent to each of those meetings?
I do not know, a Cheann Comhairle, whether it is in order to mention an inspector's name in the House——
I would prefer if it was not mentioned.
There were only two and we know who they are.
If the Deputies know there is no point asking a question or mentioning the name of the inspector.
(Interruptions.)
I do not have a problem with it; it is a question of whether it is proper for me to do so. The Deputies know as well as I do which inspector I met. I do not know whether it is proper for me to mention a name in the House and that is all I am saying.
Take a pill and skip the answer.
In relation to the question of whether the inspectors were put under undue pressure or subjected to influence I would refer the Deputy, and the House, to the statement issued by the inspectors in which they stated they had not been subjected to any influence in relation to their final report. That statement is there for everybody to see and I fully concur with it.
By way of clarification, I am sure the Taoiseach was not aware that detailed notes of his meeting when he was Minister for Finance with the inspector were kept but surely he is now aware that detailed notes were kept of all aspects of the inquiries made by the inspectors. Is he aware of the fact that these have been offered to the Attorney General and will he take steps to ensure that they are kept as a matter of public record?
I have little doubt that any notes or documents relating to any inquiry are kept as a matter of public record but I would remind the Deputy that the inspectors are still officers of the court and will be for another four to five weeks. Consequently, I am sure all the documentation to which the Deputy referred — if it is in existence — will be kept in safe keeping by the inspectors and then by the courts.