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

As I previously mentioned, I am keen to see the authority established in the quickest possible timeframe. We in Sinn Féin believe the new authority with autonomy of action would best serve to tackle the concerns regarding corporate crime. The perception that corruption and so-called white-collar crime are not adequately detected and punished damage the economy and threaten our international reputation as a reliable place to do business. Therefore, it is welcome that we are dealing with it and setting up the new authority.

White-collar crime also breeds cynicism in society on the basis that it appears that certain crimes are treated more leniently than others. A significantly important part of the establishment of the CEA relates to the work of the Companies Registration Office, CRO. I have raised this previously. On the back of reports by the Irish Independent journalist, John Mulligan, about the CRO and the suggestion that hundreds of fake companies have been established, I received communication from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in July last year in which it outlined the importance of the CEA Bill and the provision requiring company directors to provide personal public service numbers to the CRO. This is an important provision and is a further reason why we need this agency set up as soon as possible. I am sure the Minister of State would agree. I am happy to support him in progressing it.

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