Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 December 2022
1. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the recent ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union, which invalidated public access to registers of beneficial ownerships; the way this ruling lines up with the open government approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61192/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra3. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has had any contact with the European Commission or the Court of Justice of the European Union with regard to public access to the register of beneficial ownership; and if so, the details of these discussions. [61194/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 3 together.
I am aware of the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union on 22 November 2022, which found to be invalid the provision of the EU anti-money-laundering directive that information on the beneficial ownership of corporate and other legal entities must be provided to the general public.
Policy responsibility in this area rests with the Minister for Finance. Officials from my Department have been liaising with the Department of Finance in relation to the implications of the Court ruling for the Registrar of Beneficial Ownership of Companies and Industrial & Provident Societies (RBO), which operates under the auspices of my Department.
I understand that the Department of Finance has engaged with other Departments affected by the ruling and also with the European Commission and with other Member States. The question of whether any changes are required to domestic legislation is under consideration and will be informed by further analysis and engagement in the coming weeks.
I also understand that a new EU anti-money laundering Directive and Regulation are under discussion and that it is expected that the implications of the Court ruling will be addressed in this context.
