Des O’Malley and Goodman Group

Sir, – In your report "Goodman company owner paid little tax on €52m profit" (April 24th) you state, "The group's sales to Iraq cost the State dearly under the export credit insurance scheme". This is incorrect. As minister for industry and commerce, I voided the Goodman Group's policies under the scheme as they sought to claim in respect of product that was not of Irish origin. The State accordingly paid out nothing.

The Goodman Group issued High Court proceedings against me in 1989. I defended them. Goodman finally caved in in 2003 and withdrew the proceedings thereby admitting I was right. – Yours, etc,

DESMOND O’MALLEY,

Dublin 4.