THE DIRECTOR of Corporate Enforcement, Paul Appleby, has sought submissions on the strategy his office should adopt for the period to 2012, writes Colm Keena.

Mr Appleby said that, given current economic conditions, it was a suitable time to review how his office was implementing its remit.

"The Irish economy is currently facing uncertain times," he said in a statement inviting submissions.

"Potential challenges of relevance to our future strategy include the continuing need to improve corporate governance standards, the declining financial fortunes of some companies, the value and impact of continuing regulation, information technology developments and the need to be responsive to our customer needs.

"We would like to obtain public comment on the future focus of the office," he said. "Specifically, we would like your views on the following questions: What are the forthcoming market and other challenges that we need to address? Is our current focus and are our indicated priorities adequate to meet those challenges? Which aspects of our approach need to be maintained and which need to be dropped, changed and improved?"

He said his office intended to publish a new strategy document by the end of this year and he invited interested parties to make submissions by no later than September 30th.

Submissions should be marked "Strategy Statement", addressed to Marian McDermott and returned to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, 16 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, or to consultation@odce.ie.

Mr Appleby's statement inviting submissions can be read at the www.odce.ieweb address.