Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made with regard to the Garda investigation into the major money laundering operation uncovered earlier in 2005; if a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10773/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has held discussions with his Bulgarian counterpart with regard to recent reports that an illegal organisation here was attempting to use Bulgaria as a destination for money laundering or other illegal activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7627/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 744: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the recent contacts he has had with his counterpart in Bulgaria; if his counterpart has expressed concerns regarding companies or persons from this country setting up business in Bulgaria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7708/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 120 and 744 together.

The Deputies will be aware that, commencing on 16 February last, a number of searches were conducted at various locations in furtherance of a criminal investigation into suspected PIRA-related money laundering activities. These searches led to the seizure of significant sums of money and the arrest of a number of persons.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that this Garda investigation, which involves personnel from the southern Garda region, the Garda bureau of fraud investigation and the Criminal Assets Bureau, remains ongoing and active. In due course, files seeking directions will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

I am further informed that all possible avenues of information that might assist in furthering the case are being explored, and a key focus is the links between the money seized and the robbery of the Northern Bank last December.

Moreover, on 25 February last, officials of my Department met, on a confidential basis, a representative of the Bulgarian authorities to consider media reports allegedly linking the suspected money laundering operation to Bulgaria and Bulgarian nationals. The Bulgarian representative expressed concern at these reports and committed the full co-operation of the Bulgarian authorities to the Garda Síochána in the latter's ongoing investigations.

As the Garda investigation remains ongoing, I do not consider that further, detailed comment on the matter would be appropriate.