Vol. 541 No. 5
113 Mr. Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects delivery of the reports on all investigations under way in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23235/01]
128 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding each of the inquiries being carried out by or on behalf of her Department; if she will give a projected date for the conclusion of each such investigation; the inquiries in respect of which reports have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23194/01]
150 Mr. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total costs incurred by the State, at the latest date for which figures are available, arising from the various inquiries instigated by or on behalf of her Department; when elements of these costs were recovered from a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23195/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 128 and 150 together.
The following investigations are ongoing: five examinations of company books and documents are ongoing under section 19 of the Companies Act, 1990. The companies involved are Celtic Helicopters Limited, College Trustees Limited, Guinness & Mahon (Ireland) Limited, Hamilton Ross Company Limited and Kentford Securities Limited. The examinations of Celtic Helicopters Limited and Kentford Securities Limited are well advanced, and I expect to receive reports on these companies before the end of this year.
In July 2000 the High Court quashed my decision to examine the books and documents of Dunnes Stores Ireland Company and Dunnes Stores (ILAC Centre) Limited. An appeal was lodged on my behalf with the Supreme Court. This was heard on 2 July 2001 and the Supreme Court reserved judgment. The court's decision is awaited.
Three High Court inquiries are being undertaken into National Irish Bank Limited (NIB) and National Irish Bank Financial Services Limited and Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited. These inquiries are expected to conclude towards the end of this year or early next year.
Reports on Bula Resources (Holdings) plc, Garuda Limited and National Irish Bank Financial Services Limited are with the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.
The costs incurred since 1997 on company investigations initiated by or on behalf of my Department currently amount to about £5.96 million. This amount does not include the salary costs of civil service staff who are working on a number of these investigations. Similarly, the major proportion of the legal costs relating to the investigations are being borne by the Vote of the Chief State Solicitor.
