A report by the Irish Stock Exchange on insider dealing has said four written complaints were received last year in relation to alleged breaches of Part V (Insider Dealing) of the Companies Act, l990.
Up to the end of 2000, seven investigations into suspected breaches of Part V were carried out and in three of these cases, the Chief Executive, decided that a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions was not required.
Nine further investigations were still ongoing at the end of 2000 In relation to two, reports to the Director of Public Prosecutions are currently being prepared.
Speaking at the launch of the report,the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Mr Noel Treacy, said the department was examining the possibility ofasking the Stock Exchange to provide more access to information on insider dealing.
"As I have previously indicated, our Department has been examining the possibility of requiring additional information on instances of insider dealing offences be made available", the Minister said.
"We are concluding our examination of the various issues involved, in an area of interest to all investors on the Stock Exchange.
"The new regime however, will not be such as to curtail the examination by the Director of Public Prosecutions of breaches referred to him by the Exchange. I would hope to bring such requirements into law later this year", he added.