Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister acknowledge there is widespread public anger and incredulity at the utter failure of the State, so far, to initiate criminal proceedings of any nature in respect of the Anglo Irish Bank fiasco? Does the Minister agree the events in which Anglo Irish Bank was involved, including exotic share dealings and the transfer of funds intended to maintain share value on artificial levels and to conceal the insolvency of the bank, provide fertile ground for the taking of criminal prosecutions? In the context of the investigation being conducted by the Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, can the Minister tell the House if all former board members of Anglo Irish Bank and current and former employees have fully co-operated in the provision of all essential information and documentation? Can the Minister clarify whether, in the course of the investigation, the possibility of criminal prosecution has been complicated or compromised by any suggestion that the former Financial Regulator, the former Governor of the Central Bank, officials in the Department of Finance or any Minister had prior knowledge of the peculiarities of the share dealings and financial structures in Anglo Irish Bank or sanctioned some of those that have given rise to the enormous problems with which the State is confronted?

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