Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

What advice did the Minister's officials give him subsequent to the Minister having this telephone call? Presumably, the Minister advised his officials that this telephone call had taken place. What did the Minister's officials tell him in respect of the appropriateness of this? Did the Minister conceal the fact that he had had this conversation from his own officials? Is that why incorrect information was given in a reply to a parliamentary question subsequently? Was it because the Minister's officials were not aware that this conversation had taken place and that the process - it is a statutory process and public, but elements are obviously confidential because they are price sensitive - had been undermined by the Minister's actions?

See this speech in context