Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

That decision will have to be made. The shares must be given to one of the companies.

The Whistleblowers Protection Bill was introduced in 1999. Considerable drafting work was done with a view to advancing the legislation. On reflection, however, it was considered that a more focused approach would be to deal with this issue through the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 and the Competition Acts. I have asked for a report on the proposals of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I will reply to Deputy Howlin as soon as I receive that report.

See this speech in context