Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply. It was regrettable that he was not taking questions on the first day of the session, on which I raised this issue. I hoped we might have had a full-scale debate.

Does the Minister agree that the Committee of Public Accounts or the Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, or both, should investigate State expenditure at the location in question, with particular reference to grants to MLE? Would he welcome such an investigation? Does he agree that the MLE project was, to some extent, the Taoiseach's pet project and that he did not invigilate it closely? Was the Taoiseach not remiss when the project began in that he did not set out clearly its objectives? Is he not personally liable in this regard?

The Minister stated the net amount spent in start-up capital for MLE was €35.5 million. Will the State receive any revenue from the liquidation? Is there any other return to the State? What was the size of the workforce within six months of the closure and on the date of closure? What will happen to the fine researchers and graduates that worked for the company?

I am glad the Minister stated he will initiate consultation with local universities and research institutions. Does he not agree that the Government having embarked on this project without having fully consulted the Dublin Institute of Technology and Trinity College Dublin, both of which were within a mile of the company, was arrogant and foolish? Does he agree that the Taoiseach made this decision?

Will the Minister comment on the fact that 50 people have been left without jobs and that the Liberties, an important area of our city, has been left without a flagship project? Bearing that in mind, does he not deplore the fact that four chief executives departed the company, one after the other, with golden handshakes worth up to €400,000 although they had only served for very short periods?

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