SPEAKING on RTE last night, Mr Lowry said: "This issue has nothing to do with my ministerial responsibilities. It predates my appointment to the Cabinet and to Government.
"Now this issue has been raised by the author Sam Smyth in the Irish Independent. He, by his own admission, took some time to put the facts he has together. I, likewise, need time to respond.
"What I have asked is that people who are familiar with my business dealings, that they would assess the situation, evaluate and provide to me an accurate and proper account.
"I have no intention in being bounced into a decision. This incident, as I have said, has nothing to do with my ministerial responsibility and when I get the full facts which I have asked for from the various companies, it will be proper and it will be factual and I will make my views known."