Michael Finucane
Question:112 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Finance if he intends publishing the report he has received from the Central Bank on the Ansbacher Accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1905/98]
Written Answers. - Ansbacher Accounts.
As the Deputy will be aware, I received the Central Bank report of its investigation of the issues raised by the references in the Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry (Dunnes Payments) in relation to exchange controls on 17 October 1997 and an addendum thereto was received on 23 October 1997. I referred these documents to the Director of Public Prosecutions on 31 October 1997 for his consideration and any action he considers necessary.
I also referred these documents to the Tribunal of Inquiry (Payments to Messrs. Charles Haughey and Michael Lowry), the Revenue Commissioners and, more recently, to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to facilitate the authorised officers appointed under section 19 of the Companies Act, 1990.
I wrote to the Governor of the Central Bank on 31 October 1997 requesting clarification of a number of matters included in its report. Clarifications were received from the Central Bank on 16 January 1998. This additional material has also been forwarded to the DPP, the Revenue Commissioners, the Tribunal of Inquiry (Payments to Messrs. Charles Haughey and Michael Lowry) and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
As regards publication of the Central Bank report, the DPP was asked for his view on 31 October 1997 as to whether communicating this report to the Houses of the Oireachtas might prejudice consideration and possible prosecution by the DPP. In order to formulate a response, the director sought some further information which was forwarded to him on 9 December 1997 and I understand that he will be in a position to respond to me when he has considered this information together with the clarifications received from the Central Bank on 16 January 1998.
The Deputy will also be aware that on 19 November 1997 I placed on the record of the Dáil a letter dated 11 November 1997 from the Governor of the Central Bank reporting to me separately about supervisory issues arising from the Tribunal of Inquiry (Dunnes Payments).