Vol. 532 No. 4
49 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects to have completed the various inquiries and inspections under way in her Department; and if she will provide an update on these issues. [6981/01]
66 Mr. Bell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position in regard to each of the inquiries being carried out by or on behalf of her Department; if she will give a projected date for the conclusion of each such investigation; the inquiries in respect of which reports have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7096/01]
76 Mr. D. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding examinations under section 19 of the Companies Act, 1990, under way at her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6982/01]
102 Mr. Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if aspects of the investigations and inquiries being processed by her Department have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6984/01]
I propose to take Question Nos. 49, 66, 76 and 102 together.
Five examinations of company books and documents are ongoing under section 19 of the Companies Act, 1990. The companies involved are Celtic Helicopters Limited, College Trustees Limited, Guinness & Mahon (Ireland) Limited, Hamilton Ross Co. Limited, and Kentford Securities Limited. The examinations of Celtic Helicopters Limited and Kentford Securities Limited are well advanced, and I expect to receive final reports on these companies in the coming months. The remaining examinations will take additional time, and I do not yet have a precise forecast of their likely completion dates.
As I have indicated previously, the High Court last July quashed my decision to examine the books and documents of Dunnes Stores Ireland Company and Dunnes Stores (ILAC Centre) Limited. An appeal has been lodged on my behalf with the Supreme Court and will be heard on 2 July, 2001.
Three High Court inquiries are also being undertaken into Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited, National Irish Bank Limited – NIB – and National Irish Bank Financial Services Limited. The two NIB-related inquiries are anticipated to conclude in a few months.
On 12 March last, the inspectors to Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited were granted an order by the High Court which gives them leave to serve a notice of motion out of the jurisdiction upon Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited. The motion, which has a return date of 30 April, seeks an order compelling Ansbacher to deliver certain documents to the inspectors pursuant to a requirement made under section 10(6) of the Companies Act, 1990. The application is part of the inspectors' ongoing investigation and arises because the company failed to authorise any person resident in the State to accept proceedings on its behalf.
At a private hearing before the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands on 9 April next, Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited is scheduled to seek permission to release certain documents to the inspectors to assist their inquiry. It is unclear at this stage what the response of the court will be to this request. Regardless of the outcome, it is hoped that the Ansbacher inquiry can be completed this year.
