Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

We all accept the Minister's ability to interfere directly in the process, although carefully and severely circumscribed by the fact that the administrative process is under the purview of the courts. We accept that, but we are also aware of the importance of the Quinn Group jobs in Dublin, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan, Fermanagh, Longford, Westmeath, Leitrim and Roscommon. These are areas where jobs are extremely scarce on the ground and we are all aware of the importance of this industry in that regard. Why, therefore, did the Quinn Insurance Limited or Anglo Irish Bank bid that was being put together disappear from the landscape and why was it not considered as coming from a viable bidder? Did the Minister have any opportunity to become involved or was the Department of Finance, which is important in the context of Anglo Irish Bank, ever become directly involved? Was Mr. Elderfield ever brought into the process and asked his opinion? He is entitled to give an opinion when sought. Anglo Irish Bank is now owned by the State and would, in that context, have a direct input, particularly when, if the jobs are lost, we will end up paying for them at the end of the process.

Where does the NTMA fit into the situation? Has it had any input into the overall process? Were there any discussions with the Department of Finance, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Mr. Elderfield, the NTMA and all of the entities that are so important in this context?

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