Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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181. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the presence of the Anglo tapes; the date on which he was made aware of their presence; the action he has taken since being made aware of their presence; the actions that have been taken by the Gardaí on foot of these recordings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32328/13]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of each of the separate investigations currently underway by An Garda Síochána into the banking collapse; the subject matter being investigated; if he will provide an update in respect of each investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32529/13]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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192. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána has launched an investigation into the leaking of certain tapes of Anglo Irish Bank telephone calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32530/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 191 and 192 together.

While I am in ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner concerning the progress of the investigations into the former Anglo-Irish Bank, the Deputies will appreciate that I have no role in relation to the detailed management of these investigations, nor would it be appropriate for me to disclose what evidence the Gardaí have in their possession, or the use to which it may be put, in relation to any criminal investigations which they are conducting. I was aware in general terms of course that An Garda Síochána had obtained an enormous range of documents and recordings in the course of these investigations but the detail of this material would have been a matter for the investigating and prosecuting authorities alone. In the circumstances, as I have indicated previously, I had, quite properly, no knowledge of the tapes in question until they were disclosed publicly.

Equally, I do not have a function in relation to establishing the origin of the disclosure of the tapes referred to and, accordingly, I cannot comment on this, other than to say that I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the issue of a criminal investigation into the disclosure of the tapes has not arisen.

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. The investigations comprise several strands which, as has previously been indicated, include the provision of funds by Anglo to various parties for the purpose of its shares, the so-called 'back to back' short term deposits, issues concerning loans to directors and matters relating to financial statements and disclosures. Three persons are currently charged with offences under the Companies Acts and a number of files remain with the DPP awaiting her independent directions. There continues to be close contact between An Garda Síochána and the DPP in relation to all matters arising from these cases. In the circumstances it will be appreciated that it would not be appropriate to make any further comment on the detail of these matters.