The Government has recouped over €5.8 million from National Irish Bank for costs associated with the recent High Court inquiry into the bank's affairs.
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell today welcomed the recovery of the costs.
Speaking at a Garda graduation in Templemore today, Mr McDowell said: "I am pleased that the costs of this inquiry were not ultimately being footed by the taxpayer. The receipt of this money from the bank was a fair and equitable outcome for the taxpayer and exchequer."
The report - compiled by two High Court-appointed inspectors, accountant Tom Grace and senior counsel John Blayney - was presented by Mr Justice Kelly last July. He ordered that National Irish Bank pay all costs, and also made an order directing the bank to discharge the costs of the inspectors.
The High Court inspectors found that between 1988 and 1998, NIB facilitated tax evasion through the use of bogus non-resident accounts, fictitious accounts and offshore investments, including the Isle of Man-based Clerical Medical International (CMI) bonds and a series of other products.
They also established that it had improperly charged customers extra interest and fees.
The Director of Corporate Enforcement Paul Appleby described the report's findings as "deeply disturbing."
The bank was ordered by Mr Justice Kelly to pay the €34 million cost of the investigation and after some €30 million was repaid to the State and to customers, it was estimated the bank would have paid a total of €64 million.
The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for the defrayment of costs under Section 13 of the Companies Act.