Fine Gael TD, Mr Alan Shatter is to use a private notice question in the Dáil tomorrow to ask the Minister for Defence to state who advised the Sikorsky company, subsequent to the closing date for receipt of tenders for the purchase of helicopters by the Defence Forces, that their bid was not the most competitive received.
"It is clear from today's revelations that the Sikorsky company learnt of the details of the tenders submitted to the Department of Defence by their competitors concerning the proposed purchase of helicopters by the Defence Forces," said Mr Shatter.
The Fine Gael deputy said tonight that the Minister for Defence must explain "how the confidentiality of the tender process was breached".
"He must also give a detailed explanation of the communications that took place between him and the United States' Ambassador... It is essential that the Minister make a full and comprehensive statement before the Dáil goes into recess for Easter and is dissolved for the forthcoming general election," said Mr Shatter.
