Barrister and Clare Labour T.D. Michael McNamara has welcomed this morning’s comments by Judge Peter Kelly in the High Court who has expressed concern over delays in the investigation into possible criminal wrongdoing in the corporate and commercial sector.
He said: “The judiciary has spoken on the delay in investigations by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. However, the Legislature and Executive also need to take action on this issue.
“We need to know why these investigations are taking so long and why prosecutions have not been brought. Is it the case that the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement doesn’t have sufficient resources? If it does not, then it needs to say so and such resources must be provided as a matter of priority during these difficult times.
“Is it the case that our laws are inadequate? If they are then they need to be changed by the Legislature to make sure this never happens again.
“Or is it the case that there was simply no wrong doing?
“As a nation we have suffered huge reputational damage for what happened in our banking system. That damage is being compounded by the delays in investigation.
“Ireland has already been criticised before by the European Court of Human Rights for delays in prosecution in other areas. This is an area where we cannot afford further unexplained delays”, Mr. McNamara concluded.
He said: “The judiciary has spoken on the delay in investigations by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. However, the Legislature and Executive also need to take action on this issue.
“We need to know why these investigations are taking so long and why prosecutions have not been brought. Is it the case that the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement doesn’t have sufficient resources? If it does not, then it needs to say so and such resources must be provided as a matter of priority during these difficult times.
“Is it the case that our laws are inadequate? If they are then they need to be changed by the Legislature to make sure this never happens again.
“Or is it the case that there was simply no wrong doing?
“As a nation we have suffered huge reputational damage for what happened in our banking system. That damage is being compounded by the delays in investigation.
“Ireland has already been criticised before by the European Court of Human Rights for delays in prosecution in other areas. This is an area where we cannot afford further unexplained delays”, Mr. McNamara concluded.
