Is the Minister aware of statements made recently that pressure was brought to bear on him and on the company by carriers and other ferry ports to influence the outcome of the decision regarding the Cork-Swansea ferry service and, if so, can he comment on those statements?

The response to the Deputy's question is yes, I have heard and read these statements and I will just sum them up by saying that they were both incorrect and grossly mischievous.

I am glad to hear that.

A brief supplementary from Deputy Máirín Quill, I want to get on to other questions.

I wish to conclude, in response to Deputy Liam Kavanagh, that more deplorable still was the fact that that sort of statement emanated in my own county.