Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

To get a sense of capability and resources, I notice the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Mr. Greg Clark MP, has called on the UK Competition and Markets Authority to investigate the big four accountancy firms. If we look at the size of companies in sectors such as aircraft leasing and of other companies, such as PwC, does Mr. Drennan feel he has the resources to carry out a major investigation? The Anglo Irish Bank investigation was quite a while ago but it caused reputational damage to the State. In the context of Brexit and corporate headquarters setting up in Ireland, we are open to reputational damage if we do not have the capability. It is a judgment call for Mr. Drennan but is the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement strong enough to carry out a major investigation into enormous companies with very powerful backing?