Charitable Organisations.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004

Wednesday, 17 November 2004

Questions (236)

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

276 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to allegations that a charitable organisation (details supplied) filed false and incomplete documentation in the Companies Registration Office for two successive accounting years, 1998 and 1999; the reason it was decided to take no action on the matter; and his views on whether the statutory obligation to seek proper and complete documentation from the charitable organisation and to institute prosecutions when considered necessary appears to have been ignored by agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28646/04]

Written answers

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

I understand that the matters referred to by the Deputy concern compliance with company law. Since 28 November 2001, the Director of Corporate Enforcement has been responsible for enforcing and for securing compliance with the Companies Acts. He is required under the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001 to be independent in performing those functions. He is also obliged, as a general principle, to keep confidential any information obtained by him in that context. I am not in a position to say, therefore, whether or not any investigation has been or is being carried out by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement in regard to this organisation.