TANAISTE VOWS TO BRING UNTOUCHABLES TO JUSTICE

TANAISTE Mary Harney vowed yesterday to personally take legal action
against the 'untouchables' of white collar crime if the investigation into
the alleged banking DIRT tax scam reveals any criminal activity.

The powers of the Dail Public Accounts Committee heading the investigation
are expected to be widened this week to allow them deal with taxation
matters and give legal privilege to witnesses.

If this investigation produces evidence of any corporate or criminal
activity, Ms Harney said she will take legal action. As Enterprise and
Employment Minister she has the powers to initiate such action under the
Companies Act.

"We cannot have a situation where a woman goes to jail for nine years for
stealing a handbag and people with money think they can get away with
breaking the law."

Speaking at the Progressive Democrats final Cork South Central by-election
press conference, Ms Harney said she would also support cases being
referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions if they do not come under
the ambit of the Companies Act.

"If some big operators think they are untouchables, then we will show them
we are going to take on the vested interests when these powers come in."

A joint proposal by the Tanaiste and Finance Minster Charlie McCreevy to
appoint an independent regulator to the financial sector is expected to get
Cabinet approval today.

The Dail Public Accounts' Committee will today meet in private session to
finalise its next move in the investigation before it resumes taking
evidence in public tomorrow.

Following an all-day conference with top officials, including Comptroller
and Auditor General John Purcell, the chairman of the PAC, Fine Gael TD Jim
Mitchell, said all of their actions would be 'consistent with fair play and
fair procedure'.

On Wednesday, the chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, Donal Quigley,
will be asked to return to explain the glaring contradictions which exist
between him and AIB chief executive Tom Mulcahy.

Meanwhile, Labour TD Derek McDowell last night produced a Dail motion to be
debated during the party's Private Members' Time this week, which would
significantly increase the PAC's powers.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski