Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of Dolphin Trust. I am afraid I am not aware of all, or even many, of the facts in relation to this issue and I am reluctant to give an answer that may be incorrect. However, I want to express my sympathy to those affected, both here in Ireland and across Europe. These were small investors who have lost money, as the Deputy said.

On the questions relating to the Central Bank, the Central Bank, as the Deputy will be aware, is a regulator independent of Government. It is not possible for me to answer questions on behalf of the Central Bank but I am sure the Central Bank will answer questions in due course.

The Deputy asked what actions the Government took when it became aware of this in 2016. I am not aware that the Government became aware of this in 2016, certainly not the Government in the sense of the Cabinet in that if there was a Cabinet memorandum on it, I would or I ought to remember it. Perhaps the Department of Finance, the Minister for Finance or somebody in the system of government became aware of it. Without knowing who, when or what that was, again, it is difficult for me to answer the question properly but I will certainly inform the Minister for Finance that this was raised here in the Dáil today and ask him to give the Deputy any answers to any questions that he can.

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