Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I have already dealt with this matter in detail in the House on 9 December last in response to a priority question from Deputy O'Dowd. Allegations regarding corporate governance misconduct in Shannon Foynes Port Company first arose in 2006. Throughout this controversy my predecessor and I were, as shareholders, kept informed by the company. Our advice was that the matter was best left to the company to deal with internally.

Regarding the Deloitte report, my legal advice is that I must respect the confidential basis on which the report was given to my Department. The report contained a number of recommendations for improving corporate governance procedures in the company and the board has confirmed that these have been implemented. Furthermore in September 2008, I appointed a new chairperson and five other directors to the board of the company to provide renewed leadership and strategic direction to the company.

With regard to the memorandum referred to in the Deputy's question, access to most of the response I received from my Department was granted to the Deputy under the Freedom of Information Act. Under the Freedom of Information Act, the Department is prohibited from releasing certain information, such as legal advice.

As stated previously, I am aware that some matters relating to the company have been brought to the attention of both the Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.

I received letters making allegations which I brought to the attention of the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Garda.

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