Minister blames human error for briefing lapse

A DEFIANT Noel Dempsey last night blamed basic “human error” for a breakdown in communications with his department officials.

Only on the submission of a Freedom of Information request by the Irish Examiner did a document detailing Shannon’s possible fate come to the minister’s attention, he told the Dáil.

“I had an indication last week that an FOI request was in and that a document had been found. The assistant secretary contacted me on Saturday night and explained to me what was in the FOI,” he said.