Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

As Deputies across the Chamber may be aware, I have in the past expressed concern about the level of progress with regard to the investigations into Anglo Irish Bank. I am most anxious that the investigations are fully and properly completed and papers in so far as is appropriate furnished to the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that investigations into matters in Anglo Irish Bank are at an advanced stage. Two substantial investigation files were submitted to the DPP by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation in December 2010 and directions from the DPP are awaited. The investigation is ongoing and the investigation team continues to conduct necessary follow up inquiries in respect of the two investigations, in addition to investigations into other complaints received in respect of Anglo Irish Bank. I am also informed that the Director of Corporate Enforcement has submitted two investigation files and a number of reports to the DPP and that there is close ongoing co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.

I made clear long before my appointment as Minister that I share the intense frustration which people have expressed at the length of time these investigations have taken. In saying so, I am not criticising the persons carrying out the investigations, who, I have no doubt, are taking forward what are hugely complex investigations in a professional and committed fashion. I am also conscious that as we near the stage where the DPP - who is entirely independent - is in a position to make decisions on these matters, we must be very careful in what we say and as Minister for Justice and Equality I must be especially careful.

On our appointment as a Government we identified three priorities in this area. First, we sought assurances from the people involved in the investigations that they were satisfied that they had sufficient resources. We received those assurances. Second, we made it clear that if at any stage they believed additional resources were required, that would be responded to immediately. Third, we inquired whether there were changes in the law which we could bring forward to help them in their work. In the light of that consultation, we will bring forward a criminal justice Bill in the coming weeks to address delays in the prosecution and investigation of white collar crime. All being well, I expect that Bill will be published shortly.

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