Ceist:
124 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the reason the inspector's interim report on the Telecom affair was referred to the DPP; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Telecom Site Purchase Report.
Peter Barry
Ceist:126 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when he expects to receive the final report into the Telecom site purchase at Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; if he proposes to make public its findings; the cost of the inquiry; the reason the inquiry took so long; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and No. 126 together.
I would refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 10 on 18 February 1993, which dealt with some of the matters now raised.
I intend to publish the final report but I am not in a position to be definitive in the matter until I receive and examine that report with advice as necessary.
To date, the sum of £756,383.89 has been paid for this inquiry, to cover fees, outlay, withholding tax, VAT and litigation costs. I might add that, following discussions with the Department in December 1992, the inspector agreed to cap the final cost of the inquiry at £850,000, subject to there being no further litigation as a result of the final report.
As regards the duration, it will be recalled that the inquiry has been subject to a substantial amount of litigation in the High and Supreme Courts and the inspector has also been faced with difficulties in securing information in some other jurisdictions. I would emphasise that no effort is being spared to bring the inquiry to finality.