(Dublin West): Does the Taoiseach accept that it is highly irregular for a Taoiseach's special adviser to be on the board of directors of a PR company advising another company which wants to purchase a major public asset? If the Taoiseach accepts that, why does he not ask his advisers straight out if they have any private interest or involvement in private companies? In the same way he would not ask the EU Commissioner straight questions. Is it not the case that Dillon's wanted Mr. Duffy for a particular reason? Mr. Duffy was to be grease to lubricate the wheels.

The Deputy is making a statement, he should confine himself to a question.

(Dublin West): I am asking if Mr. Duffy was to play a key role for smooth interaction between the major players in the privatisation of a major semi-State company. Mr. Duffy was feathering a new nest before leaving the old one. The Taoiseach should have established this.

In view of the fact that the Government is shamefully flogging off public companies which are worth billions of pounds, does the Taoiseach accept that there is potential for major conflicts of interest with public servants advising the State on the privatisation, the sale and terms of sale and then, when the privatisation is carried through, perhaps moving to become part of the privatised company or a company which has benefited from the privatisation? Does the Taoiseach accept there should be legislation to prevent people moving from important public service positions into companies with which they have dealt while in the public service? Such circumstances give rise to the potential for corruption.

Mr. Duffy had no involvement in the issues of NTL.

Was he a shareholder?

How does the Taoiseach know that?

He wrote the statement.

Did the Deputy read his statement? The Deputy does not believe there was any involvement, he is just in the business of slinging muck at a decent person. He is good at that.

Was he a shareholder?

The Taoiseach is on his feet. Deputies should realise that they must be called by the Chair.

In reply to Deputy Higgins's question, not only did I ask Mr. Duffy about this but he signed his declaration. He did not just give a reply to what he was asked, he also signed a declaration and has since put in a supplementary declaration. Those questions were asked of him.

I take Deputy Higgins's point about conflict of interest. I outlined my views on that at the end of my statement.