asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that his Department received a recommendation from the general manager of Irish Shipping at the end of 1982 to place the company in receivership; and the action the Department took as a result of this proposal.

Discussions between representatives of commercial State bodies and the Government are of their nature confidential and it would not be appropriate for me to disclose details of them. This must continue to be the position if the Government are to retain complete freedom of action at all times to deal with the major problems which they face in the commercial State body area.

Is the Minister aware that the impression being formed by many members of the Joint Committee on State-Sponsored Bodies as a result of a number of interviews with staff and directors of Irish Shipping Limited is that the Department of Finance were informed towards the end of 1982 that a suggestion was made to the Department that the company should be placed in receivership at the end of 1982? Is the Minister aware that that information was given to the committee and will he comment on that?

I do not wish to comment on information given by any other person to the committee in question, but I would draw the House's attention to the fact that on 20 February the Minister for Communications answered three questions put down by Deputy Brennan that dealt with the same matter.