Since my last reply, the Director of Public Prosecutions, via the Garda Síochána, and the Revenue Commissioners have sought additional documentation and information from my Department's authorised officer. The authorised officer, whose investigation is formally completed, continues to give the Director and the Revenue Commissioners every assistance in that regard. It is entirely a matter for each of the parties to pursue their respective inquiries, and I am not kept up to date with progress.
On 30 March 1998, the High Court appointed Messrs. John Blayney and Tom Grace as inspectors to National Irish Bank Limited and the same persons as inspectors to National Irish Bank Financial Services Ltd. on 15 June 1998. Certain staff of National Irish Bank have appealed the ruling of the High Court made on 13 July last, which inter alia determined that the staff were obliged to answer such questions as were put to them by the inspectors. As the outcome of the Supreme Court appeal in this matter is awaited, it is not possible to indicate when the final report of the inspectors will be completed. I should add that the inspectors are answerable to the court for the performance of their duties.