Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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541. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects the book of evidence of those who were involved in illegal trading in Irish banks before the State Bank Guarantee to be finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32154/13]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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572. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received reports from An Garda Síochána or the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement in relation to the investigation into the banking collapse; if he is satisfied with the progress of the investigations; if there are sufficient resources to progress the investigations; if the investigation teams have in their possession tapes of telephone conversations seized from banks other than Anglo and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31987/13]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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578. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the tape recordings of conversations between senior officials of the former Anglo Bank, leaked to journalist Paul Williams emanated from An Garda Síochána; if he intends to conduct an investigation into the circumstances that led to the leak; if this leak could negatively impact on any potential criminal prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32177/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 541, 572 and 578 together.

As I have stated previously in this House I share the widespread concern that the criminal investigations into the former Anglo-Irish Bank be resolved as soon as possible. However, what is most important now is that nothing be said which would in any way risk the possibility of prejudicing any criminal proceedings.

The Deputies will be aware that a number of Garda investigation files have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions as have several files from the parallel investigation taking place under the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. Three persons are currently charged with offences under the Companies Acts and a number of files remain with the DPP awaiting her independent directions.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the investigation into the former Anglo-Irish Bank has been one of the most complex investigations of its kind ever undertaken in the State, and as part of which the Garda have obtained an enormous range of documents and recordings. Immediately upon taking up office I sought and was given assurances that there were sufficient resources available to these investigations and have made it clear to the Commissioner that if at any stage he believed that additional resources were required I would respond immediately. Furthermore, shortly after taking up office I moved to introduce additional powers contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2011, to assist the Garda in obtaining information in complex investigations such as these.

Insofar as the details of the management of the investigations, and of any current or future prosecutions are concerned, including matters relating to the preparation of books of evidence, the Deputies will appreciate that I have no role in this regard, nor would it be appropriate to disclose what evidence the Garda have in their possession in relation to any criminal investigations which they are conducting. I have no function in relation to determining the origin of the tapes referred to and cannot comment on this, other than to say I have no grounds for believing that the material emanated from An Garda Síochána.