Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is an initial contradiction between the Minister's statement and his commentary. He did know the decision of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission because Mr. Ó Neachtain informed him of it. It is not correct to say he had to wait until 21 November to know that. Time is limited. The Minister has confirmed for us that the call in question happened, that it happened with Mr. Ó Neachtain, that he spoke to him in the full knowledge that Mr. Ó Neachtain was acting on behalf of Independent News and Media and the Minister was aware from September that INM was looking to acquire, or to merge with, Celtic Media Group. All of that information was in the Minister's possession.

The Minister contends that was appropriate. I can tell him that it absolutely was not. The process of media mergers is not secret. It is statutory, regulatory and the Minister is responsible for it. Which official in the Minister's Department knew that he was speaking to Mr. Ó Neachtain? Is there a verbatim note on or log of that telephone conversation?

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