andMr. Mitchell asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he has had any consulations with the ministerially appointed directors of Tara Mines Limited in relation to the winding down of mining operations at Tara Mines; and if he proposes to take any other action in the matter.

I have been kept informed of developments about the company's operations through the State directors on the board and by direct contacts with the company. At the present time I do not see that any specific action by me would contribute to a solution of the problems at the mine.

Is the Minister aware that the situation in Navan is very serious for the whole of County Meath and that the layoffs taking place are adding to an already serious unemployment problem in the town? Has the Minister had any personal consulations with the directors of Tara Mines Ltd and if not why not?

I have already made a telephone call to the secretary of the company concerned. We discussed aspects of this matter and yesterday I received a full letter from the chief executive setting out the background to their present problems. I feel the company have, therefore, kept me fully informed of the situation as they see it.

I realise that this is a delicate matter and I do not wish to press the Minister unduly but in view of the fact that the Minister is a shareholder in the company will he state if he has made any specific suggestions to either side as to how this difficulty could be resolved?

It is a matter that is most appropriately dealt with by the management of the company and the trade unions concerned. Because I am a shareholder I do not think I have any special right or obligation to intervene in a trade dispute. I do not think that is a right that accrues in general to shareholders of companies. I do not think I would be acting properly and fairly to both sides if I were to use my position as a shareholder to intervene in it.

Is the Minister suggesting that as a Minister of State holding equity on behalf of the Irish Government he is in the same position as an ordinary shareholder who invests in the company? There is a very obvious difference there.

I am not prepared to intervene in trade disputes between companies and trade unions simply because the State has a shareholding in the company. The management should be allowed to deal with the matter.

The Minister stated that he made a phone call to the secretary of the company involved and I should like to know if he made that phone call after Deputy Bruton tabled this question?

No.

Before?

Before.