Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Finance when the Director of Corporate Enforcement will publish his report into the ongoing investigation into Anglo Irish Bank. [9497/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Director of Corporate Enforcement is independent in carrying out his functions under the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001. His statutory remit is limited to the Companies Acts. The Director has stated that the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and ODCE investigations into the affairs of Anglo Irish Bank are proceeding satisfactorily. Both are cooperating closely. I understand that the purpose of the investigations is to discover whether wrongdoing occurred in the Bank and, if so, the circumstances of any such wrongdoing.

The Director of Corporate Enforcement has stated recently that it is not possible to put a timescale on the completion of his Office's investigations at this stage. Several months' work lies ahead.

Following the completion of their respective investigations, the ODCE/Garda may furnish a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who can then decide if any prosecutions are warranted. Other than by way of Court proceedings, there is no legal means by which the detailed results of the ODCE/Garda investigations will be made known.

I understand that within the ODCE, some 16 full-time equivalent staff (or one-third of available personnel) are now supporting the investigations. These staff include gardaí and staff with accounting, administrative, IT and legal expertise.