asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to comments made by the chairman of Solus Teoranta regarding undertakings given to the company by the IDA; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am aware of the comments referred to. I am informed that, in deciding to provide grant assistance for the establishment in Cork by outside interests of a factory to manufacture light bulbs, the Industrial Development Authority took particular account of the position of Solus Teoranta.

The concerns expressed by Solus Teoranta have also been the subject of discussions with my Department and further discussions in the matter have been arranged. These discussions are obviously of a confidential nature and for that reason I am not in a position to make any detailed statement

Is the Minister saying they are confidential although they appeared in the press three weeks ago? The chairman of Solus Teoranta said he had been given an undertaking by the IDA.

Discussions are taking place and arrangements for further discussions are being made. Therefore it would not be appropriate to answer that question.

What will the end result be? Did the IDA give a guarantee?

The end result will be announced in due course.

Did the IDA give an undertaking?

These discussions are taking place, they are delicate and confidential and it would not be appropriate for me to give the information until they have been completed. I do not know which side the Deputy is on.

I am being delicate about it. All I want to know is whether the IDA gave the undertaking as announced by the chairman of the board.

Discussions are still taking place on the matter and the Deputy will understand my reluctance to make a statement on it.

Did the chairman get an undertaking from the IDA? Perhaps it may not be true, but will the Minister tell us?

Does this not deserve consideration in the discussions?

Of course, but I am asking whether the chairman got an undertaking?

I am not in a position to make a statement on that.

Apparently the Minister does not know whether the guarantee was given. Perhaps the chairman was under a misapprehension in that respect.