asked the Minister for Finance the dates on which (1) he received a letter in relation to Irish Estates Limited to which he referred in a reply of 7th March, 1962, (2) he acknowledged such letter, and (3) he sent any further communication to the writer; whether the allegations contained therein were submitted either by him or by the Board of the Irish Life Assurance Company Limited or Irish Estates Limited to their auditors; and if he will make available the comments of the auditors in relation thereto.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Estates, Limited.
10.
As I stated in a reply to Questions on 7th March, the Board of the parent Company, in view of the publicity given to this matter, have asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce to appoint an inspector to hold an investigation into the affairs of Irish Estates Limited under Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1908. This being the case, I consider that any further discussion here about the allegations would be inappropriate at the present time.
As regards the dates the Deputy has asked for, I received the letter conveying the allegations on 6th June, 1961, and sent an acknowledgment on 9th June, 1961. I sent further communications to the writer's solicitors on 20th July, 1961, 25th July, 1961, 10th November, 1961, and 2nd January, 1962.
Will the Minister say if that correspondence will be made available to the inspector?
If he asks for it, it certainly will be.
Will the Minister agree that if there had not been these complaints, there would have been no investigation?
That is a matter of opinion.