Vol. 526 No. 4
101 Mr. D. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress to date on the various inspections and inquiries currently taking place by inspectors appointed by the Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26675/00]
127 Mr. Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will complete investigations currently taking place in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26741/00]
130 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current position in relation to the various inspections and inquiries being carried out by or on her behalf; and when she expects these to be completed. [26682/00]
163 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current position in regard to each of the inquiries being carried out by or on behalf of her Department; the progress made in respect of each such inquiry since 12 October 2000; the inquiries in respect of which reports have been referred to the DPP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26565/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 127, 130 and 163 together.
Since 12 October 2000 last I have had an appeal lodged with the Supreme Court in relation to a High Court decision of Mr. Justice Butler on 28 July last concerning my appointment of an authorised officer under section 19 of the 1990 Act to Dunnes Stores Ireland Company and Dunnes Stores (ILAC Centre) Limited. Until the outcome of that appeal is known, it is not possible to estimate when these investigations will be concluded.
The five examinations of company books and documents under section 19 of the Companies Act, 1990, are ongoing. The companies involved are Celtic Helicopters Limited, College Trustees Limited, Guinness & Mahon (Ireland) Limited, Hamilton Ross Company Limited and Kentford Securities Limited. I expect to receive final reports on a number of these companies in the coming months.
As regards the section 8 High Court inquiry into Ansbacher Cayman Limited, I expect that it will be at least six months before this inquiry can be completed.
The section 8 inquiry into National Irish Bank Limited and National Irish Bank Financial Services Limited is also ongoing and I hope that the inspectors' inquiry can be concluded early in 2001.
The reports on Bula Resources (Holdings) plc., Garuda Limited and National Irish Bank Financial Services Limited are with the Director of Public Prosecutions. I have no information on his intentions with respect to any of these reports. Consultations with my legal advisers are ongoing regarding the initiation of summary prosecutions for breaches of the Companies Acts identified in the Bula report.
