Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but I wonder whether there will be a new emphasis or new relationship as it goes forward. We all support the corporate enforcement authority and the devolvement of new powers to it. We just want to make sure the issue raised with us during the summer with regard to fake companies is addressed. I appreciate the work the Department does in this regard, but the number of fake companies is bonkers. We have seen some of the individual cases. I obviously do not expect the witnesses to comment on any individual case but can we get some sort of assurance we will be more proactive on this issue in the future? I still do not understand who will initiate action on an issue. Will the corporate enforcement authority be waiting for the Department or the CRO to come to it? How will action be initiated? Mr. Newham has said eight cases will be done by the end of this year. Are we just to go on as we are or will there be more co-ordinated integration of the CRO and the new corporate enforcement authority?

Fake companies can be very disruptive and damaging for consumers and so on, but they are a very small number of the companies operating in Ireland. It is important that we say that. The Department does a good job in registering the significant number of companies that it has to do. We have no problem with that whatsoever. The concern we have relates to the ones that have slipped through things. Is there any plan for members of the new CEA and the CRO to sit down and look at that issue? That is the concern I have.