Vol. 495 No. 7
64 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the statement by the head of the Garda Criminal Assets Bureau to the effect that banks have been unhelpful regarding their inquiries into fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21702/98]
I believe that everybody has an obligation to assist the Garda in their investigations and I trust that such co-operation will be forthcoming. I would be particularly concerned if anybody was being unhelpful to the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.
Compliance with statutory obligations under the various codes of law applying in this jurisdiction is a matter of continuing concern to me. On 20 October the Government decided to establish a single regulatory authority for the financial services sector at the earliest date possible. The Government also decided to establish an implementation group to make recommendations on the role, functions and scope of a new authority. This group will report to both the Minister for Finance and myself by the end of February 1999.
A company law enforcement working group has been established and which will report at the end of this month. Its purpose is to advise on the necessary structures, legislative changes and resources required to ensure that company law codes, with over 250 provisions for which statutory offences are detailed, are properly enforced and policed.
