Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

——which have come to light in Anglo Irish Bank and which have rightly caused such grave public concern. It does not come from this House because the Director of Public Prosecutions does not come from this House either. Deputies should know that the director and his staff have shown a strong commitment to their compliance remit and bring parties who have not met their legal obligations under the companies legislation before the courts in appropriate circumstances.

The office has secured the conviction of more than 140 company directors and other persons for company law offences. The office has had disqualification orders imposed on more than 70 persons and approximately 800 directors have been restricted by liquidators following reports made to the director's office. The director and his staff will undertake a professional job in examining the recent events in Anglo Irish Bank and I look forward to seeing the results of various examinations which he no doubt will have to make as a result of what has come to light.

I have discussed the powers of the Director of Corporate Enforcement with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It is essential that the director has the fullest possible powers to investigate this matter. As an immediate measure, I have requested that the regulator, who has more extensive powers of surveillance with regard to the banking system——

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