Vol. 506 No. 5
59 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the response, if any, she has received from the Revenue Commissioners or the DPP to the report of the authorised officer into certain matters involving National Irish Bank and its associated companies; when the final report of the inspectors appointed by the High Court to these companies will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15838/99]
The report into the sale by National Irish Bank Financial Services Limited of certain insurance products was passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Revenue Commissioners last year. I have been advised that the DPP has referred the report to the Garda Síochána for investigation. While the authorised officer remains available to assist the Garda and the Revenue Commissioners, I have no information on the present status of their investigations.
The inspectors of both National Irish Bank Limited and National Irish Bank Financial Services Limited are answerable to the High Court for the performance of their duties. While they have filed a number of interim reports with the court since their appointment, I expect that it will be some time yet before they will be ready to submit their final report. The High Court will decide in due course whether and to what extent their report should be published.
