Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Since my appointment as Minister for Transport on 15 June 2007, the following are the only matters brought to my attention that indicated any alleged wrongdoing in companies or agencies under the aegis of my Department. An internal Irish Rail report – the Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon report – was carried out on procurement practices in Irish Rail. The position on this report has been answered in my reply to Question No. 28. The Department received correspondence from third parties in 2009 regarding alleged historical inappropriate corporate behaviour by the Shannon Foynes Port Company. This correspondence has been forwarded to the Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. Correspondence was received from a third party in 2009 regarding alleged inappropriate actions by the Arklow Harbour Authority, in particular relating to overcharging of port users. A due diligence report is being prepared for the Department on the harbour and the correspondence has been brought to the attention of the person carrying out this exercise. These are the only such complaints that have been identified to me at the current time.

See this speech in context