Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 2

Written Answers. - Companies Registration.

Noel Ahern

Question:

38 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will have investigations made into a company (details supplied) which is offering itself to householders as builders and house repairers and charging exorbitant rates for shoddy or imaginary work; the powers, if any, which exist to prevent it operating; if she will report on the company in relation to payment of VAT, tax, employers' tax and PRSI; if workers are claiming unemployment benefits; if the company is registered; and if she will provide details of the address and company directors. [7565/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Treacy)

The Companies Acts 1963-1990 require a firm using the word limited to be registered with the Registrar of Companies. Failure to do so is an offence under section 381 of the Companies Act, 1963. The registrar informs me that Millennium Guttering Limited is not registered. Furthermore, there is a requirement under the Registration of Business Names Act, 1963, that a company operating in a name which is not its company name must be registered as a business name. The registrar has also informed me that Millennium Guttering Limited is not registered under that Act.

If the Deputy can provide more precise details in relation to the company, the matter will be investigated further in the context of the Companies Acts.

The Director of Consumer Affairs has informed me that she has no record of receiving a complaint about this firm. I, therefore, cannot comment on the allegation that it is offering shoddy or imaginary work and if the Deputy has received any complaints in this regard, he should communicate them to the Director immediately.