GAMA: inquiries continue
Official inquiries were continuing yesterday at a number of levels into allegations against Gama Construction, despite the High Court decision to prevent publication of the labour inspectorate's report on the company.
Prior to yesterday's decision, the inspectorate's report had already been circulated, with the court's approval, to the Garda fraud squad, the Competition Authority, the Revenue Commissioners, the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
It is understood all of these bodies are continuing to examine whether the report provides the basis for further investigation into or action against the Turkish construction company.
Officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, meanwhile, are expected to decide within the next fortnight whether to appeal against yesterday's decision by the court to prevent publication or further circulation of the report.
Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin said the department's legal advisers, together with officials from the Chief State Solicitor's Office and Office of the Attorney General, would be "further examining the judgement and considering their options". An appeal to the Supreme Court is understood be one of the options under review, but there was no immediate indication yesterday as to the likelihood of the department going that route.
Mr Martin has also suggested over recent months, since its report was completed, that the labour inspectorate was continuing its inquiries into Gama and would take action if any further alleged breaches of employment legislation were uncovered.
Members of the inspectorate can initiate prosecutions against employers found to be in breach of minimum wage and other obligations, although up to the end of May only three such prosecutions had been instigated in the State this year.