Vol. 431 No. 4
25 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will confirm that the Garda Fraud Squad has been called in to investigate a suspected fraud within An Bord Tráchtála; the general nature of the suspected fraud and the amount involved; the procedures that are being put in place to ensure that such activities do not happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
(Donegal South-West): The statutory functions of the Minister for Tourism and Trade in relation to An Bord Tráchtála involve general policy direction and the provision of resources for its marketing programmes, including the market development fund.
The management and operation of programmes is a day-to-day matter for An Bord Tráchtála. I can assure the House that the Minister has been informed by An Bord Tráchtála of the matter in question and is satisfied that all proper steps have been taken in relation to the alleged fraud, including informing the appropriate authorities, the freezing of certain moneys by court order and the review of procedures to seek to ensure, as far as humanly possible, that no similar problem arises in the future.
Does the Minister accept that An Bord Tráchtála is a Government agency to assist the export of Irish goods and that, therefore, we in this House have a responsibility to ensure that the board is properly run? In that light would the Minister indicate the degree to which it has been established that the alleged fraud did in fact take place, whether an employee of An Bord Tráchtála was involved and the precise steps taken by An Bord Tráchtála to ensure that any such fraud does not recur?
(Donegal South-West): What is important here is the principle. The amount involved is small but I do not want to make light of it. Irrespective of the amount, the principle would dictate that it be treated seriously. I accept that An Bord Tráchtála is responsible to the Minister for Tourism and Trade, who has been fully informed. It remains an alleged fraud to date. I think we should await the outcome of the investigations. I am quite sure the Minister will ensure that all appropriate steps are taken. If it is proven that it is a fraud and the case should be pursued in the courts, then that will happen. An Bord Tráchtála obtained a High Court injunction preventing the assets of the suspect firms being reduced in order not to prejudice the recovery of payments which may have been misappropriated. The matter is now sub judice although the individual suspected of fraud has not been prosecuted to date.
I have no wish whatsover to interfere with whatever further inquiries or legal proceedings may or may not be taken in this case. Would the Minister say specifically what steps An Bord Tráchtála has taken to ensure there is no misuse of its funds for purposes which were not intended? If there is an allegation of fraud we must assume that the board has found some loophole in its procedures. I want to know whether that loophole has been closed or whether any general review has been undertaken to ascertain whether there are any other loopholes. I have to say that I do not know what moral authority this Government has in relation to fraud, given that they are proposing to give an amnesty to tax fraudsters.
(Donegal South-West): That is a matter for another day, another time and another Minister. I assure Deputy De Rossa that An Bord Tráchtála has taken all requisite steps and will report back to us, indicating the steps taken. That information is not available to us at present but, when it is, it will be made available to the House.
That concludes Question Time for today.
