Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 690: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he will take to bring to a satisfactory conclusion to the ongoing efforts by a person (details supplied) to have their good name restored and their reputation rehabilitated following the specific false allegation made against them relating to three unpaid invoices; if his Department will issue a formal apology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2499/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the House has already been advised in reply 17967/04, my Department was not a party to the allegations of fraud made in this case.

As previously confirmed to the Deputy, my Department was advised by the organisation concerned that the Garda Fraud Squad had been alerted to suspected irregularities. Following an investigation with which my Department cooperated, a file was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions who decided that there were no grounds for action.

As the project to which the allegations related was co-funded by the EU, the Department was obliged, when it was notified of the allegations in 1999, to notify the Commission, in a Quarterly Communication of Irregularities required under Commission Regulations 1681/94 and 1831/94, that the matter was under investigation. Following the completion of the Garda investigation and the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a further Quarterly Communication of Irregularities was submitted notifying the Commission that enquiries had not found evidence to substantiate the allegations and, accordingly, that no irregularity had arisen in relation to the project.

In reply 17967/04 referred to above, my predecessor acknowledged that she and the Department were happy to accept the results of this investigation and confirmed that neither she nor the Department had any issue or concern to pursue with the individual concerned who has been so advised in writing. I can re-affirm that the same position applies today.