The standard procedure in the type of case referred to by the Deputy is for any application for waiver of the State's interest to be investigated by the Chief State Solicitor and for advice to be given to the Minister for Finance by the Attorney General, whereupon the Minister then makes a decision whether or not to grant the waiver sought.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is important in these cases that every step is taken to ascertain whether or not next of kin may exist who may have a legal entitlement to the estate. In this case, I understand that an application for waiver is currently being examined by the Office of the Attorney General and that a recommendation is likely to be made shortly. I can assure the Deputy that any advice which is received from the Attorney General in this matter will be dealt with as soon as possible.