Vol. 495 No. 7
69 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date by the officer appointed under section 19 of the Companies Act, 1990, to investigate a number of companies arising from the Ansbacher account disclosures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21630/98]
The background to this matter was outlined in my reply of 30 June 1998 [Official Report, volume 493, No. 3, cols. 597-598]. In January of this year I authorised an officer of my Department to examine the books and documents of four companies under section 19 of the Companies Act, 1990. The companies involved are Ansbacher (Cayman) Ltd., Guinness and Mahon (Ireland) Ltd., Hamilton Ross Co. Ltd. and Irish Intercontinental Bank Ltd. I extended his remit on 9 June last to include the examination of the books and documents of Kentford Securities Ltd. an Irish-registered company which was dissolved in May 1995.
Since I last replied to questions on this matter the authorised officer has obtained a significant quantity of further documentation from Guinness and Mahon (Ireland) Limited. The officer and his staff have also examined the substantial documentation received from Irish Intercontinental Bank Limited and Hamilton Ross Company Ltd. and have interviewed officers of the entities which are the subject of his inquiries. These investigations are continuing.
Section 21 of the Companies Act, 1990 precludes me from providing any information relating to the bodies subject to section 19 investigations, other than in certain specified circumstances. These circumstances, which are set out in section 21(1) relate, inter alia, to where criminal proceedings are being instituted pursuant to or arising from the Companies Acts; to the institution of criminal proceedings arising from or pursuant to the Exchange Control Acts; or for the purposes of proceedings relating to an application to enter and search premises.
