Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004
80 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that are taken by her Department to ensure that company accounts that require a statutory audit are audited by registered auditors as defined in the Companies Acts, particularly in view of the recent related prosecutions brought by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11040/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is an offence under section 187 of the Companies Act 1990 for a person to act as an auditor while not qualified.
Responsibility for the enforcement of company law generally — including the enforcement of section 187 — has been vested by the Oireachtas in the Director of Corporate Enforcement. I understand that the director successfully prosecuted two cases in each of the years 2002 and 2003 for breaches of section 187. Section 12(5) of the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001 provides that the director shall be independent in the performance of his functions. As such it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the day-to-day activities of the director.
The Companies Registration Office, CRO, maintains a register of qualified auditors for inspection by the public so that companies can check to make sure that the person or firm that they have appointed as auditor to the company is properly qualified. I understand that this register will shortly be made available online on the CRO website which will facilitate public access to the register.
