Government is remaining tight-lipped on the financial status of a company headed up by Tourism Board chief David Dodwell that is reported to be massively in debt to Government.Hotelier Mr Dodwell — a former United Bermuda Party Tourism Minster — is part-owner of development company IRC Sandys, which has leased land from Government quango the Bermuda Land Development Company to operate the 9 Beaches resort.It is understood that the company has run into financial difficulty, with rental payments to Government now in arrears.Mr Dodwell, who also owns The Reefs resort, was appointed chairman of the Tourism Board by the new One Bermuda Alliance Government in January.The move was criticised by the Opposition Progressive Labour Party, which said that it presented a conflict of interest with Mr Dodwell’s business interests.Government has dismissed the criticism, but repeatedly declined to give any details of its dealings with IRC.And in the House of Assembly yesterday, Public Works Minister Trevor Moniz once again said it was not “appropriate for Government to comment.Shadow Public Works Minister Derrick Burgess submitted a written question to his counterpart, asking for details of “the indebtedness of the IRC Sandys Ltd” to the BLDC.Mr Moniz replied” “The matter currently rests in the hands of the BLDC who have been working with the developer, IRC Sandys regarding the same.“As I have stated previously, it would not be appropriate for the Ministry to make any comment until the board has had the opportunity to consider the matter.“Further, it should be noted that the BLDC does not generally discuss internal matters in the public domain.”