I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.
The letter in question was sent to the secretary of my Department prior to my appointment as Minister for Education. However, I have since been made generally aware of the subject matter of this and other related correspondence.
I understand that the phone calls referred to in the letter were made to the person referred to by the Deputy. An examination of the files relating to the period has failed to show any record of the phonecalls in question other than the reference in the letter. However, the subject matter of the phonecalls and subsequent developments in relation to these matters are recorded in my Department.
I understand a copy of the letter to which the Deputy refers was also sent to the secretary of the Department of Finance at that time. In February 1993 I received a letter from the person in question enclosing copies of correspondence which she had with the then Minister for Finance and the then Minister for Enterprise and Employment. No representations or inquiries in relation to these matters have been received in my Department from the current Minister for Finance. However, as the matters in question were the subject of consideration by the Committee of Public Accounts, the Department of Finance would have been briefed on developments taking place in relation to these matters.