The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade an Employment rejected opposition criticism in the Dail yesterday of the delay in producing reports o the inquiries into companies initiated by her Department.
Mr Pat Rabbitte (Labour, Dublin South West) suggested the delay in bringing into the public domain the results of any of the investigations was undermining the confidence of many people, such as himself, who would have supported the initiatives taken by Ms Harney when she assumed office.
"Does she accept that people's confidence is being corroded, and their cynicism enhanced, by virtue of the fact that some years after she assured the public they would receive this information, it has yet to become available?"
Mr Harney said the Bula report, which was a section 14 inquiry, had been in the public domain for some time.
Ansbacher, National Irsh Bank and National Irisj Financial Services were under investigation by high Court inspectors. Affidavits were out before the court, based on what had been discovered.
"Those affidavits revealed a considerable amount of what was discovered by the authorised officers. It is now a matter for those inspectors to report to the courts. As the deputy is aware, they do not report to me.
Ms Harney added that she expected the NIB inquiry to conclude shortly, while the Ansbacher inquiry would probably take up to six months.
"Deputy Rabbite is aware, given that he initiated inquiries in this area, that under law I am prohibited from bringing section 19 into the public domain. To do so would be a criminal offence."
Successful prosecutions and the new office of the director of enforcement will "certainly change the culture" on the enforcement of company law, Ms Harney, told the Dail yesterday.
Outlining the costs of the inquiries she ahs ordered into companies, the Minister said the estimated bill so far was about £3.92 million. Of this, £2.5 million was for the two inquiries into National Irish Bank and National Irish Financial Service Ltd.
The minister said she planned to apply to the High Court to recover these costs from NIB.