Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair for raising the matter. I will deal with the issue of tied agents first. The Chair raised it with me in one of my previous appearances before the committee. Since then, I have received correspondence on the matter from some of the individuals who were involved in this issue. I want to acknowledge to them the Chair's ongoing interest in the matter and that he has raised it directly with me.

I have sought a briefing on the matter, given the Chair's involvement in it. I have received clear advice that because other cases are ongoing with regard to this issue, I cannot comment on it publicly. However, the interest of this committee and its Chair in this matter is well known. I have sought a briefing on the matter. I am now better aware of some of the details than I was when the Chair last raised it with me. However, I cannot comment on it publicly.

I hope that any matter that has been going on that is a cause of great difficulty to individuals can be resolved in an amicable and fair way. I am just making a general comment, as I cannot comment on this issue.