Vol. 417 No. 5
70 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the total amount paid during the past 12 months to date to inspectors in respect of Companies Act investigations and the further sums which are likely to be due and payable in 1992; the steps which have been taken to date to seek the recovery of such sums; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the 1990 Companies Act I am responsible in the first instance for the remuneration of inspectors appointed by the High Court under sections 7 and 8 of the Act. My Department has accordingly met the costs of an incidental to the inquiry conducted by Inspectors Barry and Foley over the period 16 September 1991 to 24 February 1992. I have no involvement in any other investigation under the 1990 Companies Act.
I have already given details of the amounts paid to date and the estimated future costs of this investigation in my written reply, No. 161 of 10 March to Deputy Jim O'Keeffe.
As I also indicated in my reply to Deputy O'Keeffe, the High Court may direct that the costs borne by my Department be recouped and I am seeking a direction from the court in favour of full recoupment. The court has indicated that it will consider the matter on Tuesday next, 31 March.
