Vol. 440 No. 3
5 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the way in which the announcement of 50 jobs at Sonopress, Balbriggan, County Dublin, was made in a Labour Party leaflet distributed outside Ss. Peter and Paul's Church, Balbriggan, before it had been officially announced by him.
The project referred to by the Deputy, which will create 50 jobs over the next three years, was officially announced by the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Deputy Quinn, on Sunday 13 February 1994. Neither myself nor my Department has seen the leaflet in question and, accordingly, I am unable to comment further.
I am pleased about the establishment of Sonopress in Balbriggan. I asked the Minister on a number of occasions to address the serious problem of unemployment in the town. He will understand my dismay and delight when a constituent who had been at Mass on Sunday handed me the Balbriggan Labour News leaflet giving details of the good news. Is the Minister's responsibility to his party or the people? Are there guidelines to ensure ministerial announcements are made in an official manner?
It is Government policy to make official announcements in the correct official manner. That has been the approach of all Departments under successive Governments. However, one must live in the real world and realise that information gets out.
We would not believe that.
Information may be leaked from commercial sources, agency sources or by politicians.
Is it customary for Government Deputies to be given information prior to Deputies in other parties? How was the announcement made on Sunday? I am not sure if many newspaper reporters are asked to attend press conferences on Sundays. Was the announcement made by Government Deputies or independently through the media?
I am informed by my colleague that it was not announced from the altar.
It appears that was the case in Balbriggan.
I gather it was announced through a press release and, if not, I will advise the Deputy. I am glad the Deputy keeps in close contact with his constituents.
And goes to Mass.
Church-going may be good or bad depending on one's view.
