Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2012
222 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation precisely when he became aware that the Director of Corporate Enforcement intended to tender his resignation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15399/12]
View answer223 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the date on which he or representatives of his Department became aware of the proposed retirement of a person (details supplied). [15426/12]
View answer224 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he took to ensure that the proposed retirement of a person (details supplied) will not be allowed to impact on the ongoing investigation of Anglo Irish Bank. [15428/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 to 224, inclusive, together.
On the evening of 16 January 2012, on the margins of a meeting about another matter, I was made aware on an informal basis by an official in my Department of a conversation in which the Director of Corporate Enforcement had discussed his plans to retire. At that stage I was satisfied that discussions were on-going between my officials and the Director. My priority at this and at all stages was to preserve the integrity of the investigation into Anglo Irish Bank. On the afternoon of Friday 27 January, I received formal notification of the Director's intention to retire. On Monday 30 January 2012, I met with the Director and we discussed his retirement, and also the need to preserve the momentum behind the Anglo Irish investigation.
On 28 February 2012, I appointed the outgoing Director as Acting Director of Corporate Enforcement, with effect from 29 February 2012, under the provisions of the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001 as a transitional measure to ensure continuity. The Public Appointments Service is undertaking a competition to recruit a new Director.
