Embarrassment as OpenHydro leaves Naughten high and dry

There was little indication of the possibility of triggering a liquidation process beforehand

EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella and Minister Denis Naughten check out the OpenHydro turbine at an exhibition in Cherbourg last June. Naughten had specially flown over for the event

It has emerged that Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten was dragged over to France for a sea turbine factory launch by Naval – just a month before it applied to wind up OpenHydro.

Naughten had rearranged his schedule at the request of the company to attend the event in Cherbourg, which was where the first two OpenHydro tidal turbines were due to be assembled, turning up with European Commissioner ...