Call for Dempsey to make statement on land deal

FINE GAEL has called on Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey to make a public statement about a controversial land deal in Co Limerick, following the release under Freedom of Information (FoI) of a memo written by him.

Fine Gael transport spokesman Fergus O’Dowd and Limerick TD Dan Neville have called for a departmental inquiry into activities by the Shannon Foynes Port Company and the publication of a report into the matter by Deloitte & Touche.

The TDs maintain that a land swap made by the port company for 16 acres resulted in millions of euro being made by a third party.

Mr O’Dowd said that the memo obtained under FoI showed that the Minister had raised concerns about the land transaction two years ago and had sought additional information on the matter from department officials.

However, the department’s response to the Minister’s query has been blacked out in the FoI documentation.

“Minister Dempsey has known about this matter since at least 2008.

“However, the Minister has not provided satisfactory answers, in spite of an ongoing investigation by the Oireachtas Transport Committee.

“He should at least publish the Deloitte & Touche report into the matter,” said Mr O’Dowd.

Mr Neville called on the Minister to make a full statement, including any information he received on foot of his May 2008 memo.

“This matter raises very serious concerns about governance and corporate practice in Shannon Foynes. It is vital that we get a clear picture of this particular transaction, as well as typical practices on the company board,” said the TD.