asked the Minister for Finance the total cost to the State to date of the Paul Singer case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Court Case.
54.
The total cost to the State of the Paul Singer case was £40,000 approximately.
What is the reason for the delay? This is going on now for eight or nine years. Thousands of people had money invested in it and I do not think they have been paid.
That does not arise in the question.
I did table all that in the question: I think it was ruled out of order. Still, I think the people are entitled to know what has happened to the Singer case and why there has been such a delay in bringing it to a conclusion. It is going on now for eight years.
You made sure he was not charged anyway.
There are two separate points: (1) the cost to the State of endeavouring to secure a conviction against this man and (2) the civil proceedings. I have no official knowledge of liquidation. Recently, I saw some reference in the newspapers to the effect that a distribution will shortly be made.
In July. Is it not a fact that newspaper reports said that distribution would be made during the month of July? I read it in the Irish Press. I have the cutting. I was rather suspicious that it stated July rather than May or April—July, a month after the general election. You want to “gull” the people on this— that they will all get what will be coming to them after the general election.
I think the reference in the newspapers was very recent.
I shall send the Minister the cutting.