Vol. 540 No. 1
135 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a money lending firm (details supplied) was licensed by her Department; the last known contact address for this company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19678/01]
I have contacted the Director of Consumer Affairs in relation to the Deputy's question, in view of the director's responsibility for the licensing of moneylenders under the Consumer Credit Act, 1995.
According to the director's office, the firm mentioned by the Deputy is not licensed and has never held a licence under Part VIII of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995, from the director to engage in the business of moneylending. Her office has no knowledge whatsoever of the firm under either of the names indicated by the Deputy or of the person said to be the owner by the Deputy. This is probably not surprising, given the Deputy's statement that the firm closed in 1993, three years before the commencement of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995, in May 1996.
I am advised by the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs that the Companies Registration Office has no record of any registration in the more recent name of the firm as indicated by the Deputy, but does have records in relation to the earlier name indicated by him. From these records it will be seen that the firm was first incorporated in August 1931, it last filed annual returns in March 1997 and its last registered address was the same address as that of the person on whose behalf the Deputy is making representations. From the records it would also appear that that firm has been dissolved.
