Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not know what is in the email and I have not seen it. Let me be crystal clear that what I stated was my own personal view that based on what was already in the public domain and the guidelines and criteria there, it was likely to go to a phase 2 assessment. I also put in a caveat relating to it.

I made it crystal clear that I would be guided by the advice of my officials. At that stage I was not even aware that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission had made its decision. The application did not come into our Department until later that month. When I came into the House on 6 December, there was an active file being assessed in the Department. It was received in my private office on 4 January 2018. On the advice of my officials, I made the decision subsequently to refer it on. The file will clearly show that I in no way interfered at any stage in this process. That file is open to any colleague here to inspect.

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