asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the outcome of the discussions held by his Department, the IDA or any other State agency with Ford Motors. Cork on the financing of the company's modernisation programme.

Owing to the confidential nature of the matter referred to in the Deputy's question I regret that I cannot give the information sought.

Has a decision been made in principle by the Department regarding the proposals made by Ford Motors of Cork in relation to their proposals for the modernisation of the company?

I did not catch the Deputy's question.

Has a decision been made in principle to support the development programme?

Not yet.

Is the Minister aware that this matter is very urgent?

I am sure the Deputy knows from the time he spent in the same Department that the situation we referred to in an earlier question has a bearing on this particular matter, and for that reason I do not propose to comment any further.

Do I take it from that that the question previously referred to has a bearing on the Ford application?

It could be the subject of long legal court cases and I am not prepared to comment any further.