Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

Yes, I did meet with Anglo Irish Bank people and I am aware that there was interaction between the Department of Finance and Anglo Irish Bank on this matter. There was also interaction between my Department and the Department of Finance with regard to the proposed investment. The Government, the Minister and the Taoiseach can intervene with the joint administrators with regard to the exercise of their duty and we have clearly indicated the importance to the region of the retention of jobs.

Also, the inter agency group I have set up, which has a North-South connection, proposes to make an application to INTERREG. This application will be lodged before the closing date at the end of February and we hope it will be a successful cross-Border initiative. Progress is being made with regard to that aspect of the joint agencies.

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