Some 11 inquiries are ongoing at present. The inquiries into National Irish Bank Limited, National Irish Bank Financial Services Limited and Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited are being undertaken by High Court inspectors under section 8 of the Companies Act, 1990. I understand that following the conclusion of several legal proceedings, the NIB and NIBFS inquiries are now proceeding satisfactorily and that they should conclude next year. Deputies will know that the Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited inquiry has just started and that it will be several months before it concludes. While the ultimate decision on publication of the inquiry reports in these three cases is a matter for the High Court, I am optimistic that this will occur.
The remaining eight investigations are being undertaken by my Department under section 19 of the Companies Act, 1990. In five cases, the work of my authorised officer in examining the companies' books and documents is substantially complete. The companies involved are Celtic Helicopters Limited, Guinness & Mahon (Ireland) Limited, Hamilton Ross Company Limited, Irish Intercontinental Bank Limited and Kentford Securities Limited. I expect to receive final reports on many of these companies in the coming months.
In a further three cases, work is at an early stage or has not yet started. College Trustees Limited, which is based in Guernsey, indicated to my Department last month that it will not be co-operating with my authorised officer's inquiries. While this is a disappointing but not altogether surprising development, it will not deflect my Department from completing its section 19 examination of the company. It will probably be May-June 2000 before this report is available.
In the cases of Dunnes Stores Ireland Company and Dunnes Stores (ILAC Centre) Limited, the High Court decision in the second set of judicial review proceedings by the companies and Margaret Heffernan against my decision to institute a section 19 examination was delivered on 6 July. Appeals by both sides against aspects of this decision are listed for hearing by the Supreme Court in December. Given the ongoing legal actions, it is not possible to speculate at present as to when these two reports might be completed.
The House will be aware that section 21 of the Companies Act, 1990, precludes me and other parties from publishing information relating to section 19 examinations for the reasons outlined by the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, on Report Stage of the Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 1999, in the House yesterday. However, the results will come into the public domain in due course if prosecutions are taken in the courts against the companies or any other parties on foot of the contents of these reports. Similarly, any subsequent High Court inquiry under section 8 of the 1990 Act would result in publication of the inspector's report on the company concerned. I will not be able to make a decision on the ongoing examinations until I have received and assessed the reports of my authorised officer and any associated legal advice.