Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

As Deputy Adams is well aware, the Minister sought permission from the Ceann Comhairle under Standing Order 44 to make a personal statement to the Dáil this evening and this he will do. I point out to Deputy Adams that before he ever became a Minister, Deputy Reilly declared his interest in the nursing home in Greenhills, Carrick on Suir, dealing with the care of the elderly. The public declaration in respect of his involvement in business also states interests were transferred to a blind trust as per advice from the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO.

Deputy Adams should honour what he said and wait until the Minister makes his statement to the House in respect of this. Before he was ever pointed as a Minister he declared publicly, as per the requirements of the Standards in Public Office Commission, what were and are his business interests. As Deputy Adams is aware, under the code of conduct for officeholders there is a requirement not to be involved in the direct management of business by being a director or whatever else. These are matters that apply to all officeholders. The Minister is quite happy to make a statement to the Dáil about this matter.

I understand the judgment of the High Court is perfectly valid and the question for the group of investors is how to deal with it in terms of payment of the debt. The Minister, Deputy Reilly, happens to be one of those named investors. As Deputy Adams is aware, he transferred his interest through power of attorney to a second legal person to deal with it at arm's length. It is not for the Minister in such circumstances to ring up and state what he wants to do; it is a matter for the group of investors who have an interest in the premises not because of a tax scam, but through a tax break authorised by a previous Government in respect of the development of nursing homes and begun by the Deputy opposite when he was Minister with responsibility for health. The Minister, Deputy Reilly, will be in the House today to deal with the response to the Private Members' motion on health and has received permission from the Ceann Comhairle to make a personal statement subsequently under Standing Order 44. This is the position.

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