Ned O'Keeffe
Question:19 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice the measures, if any, she will introduce to tackle white collar crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2698/95]
Written Answers. - White Collar Crime.
Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:28 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Justice if the resources at the disposal of the Garda fraud squad are adequate to meet the needs of the force in this regard; the number of unfilled vacancies in the fraud squad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2824/95]
I propose to take Question Nos. 19 and 28 together.
As Deputies will be aware, a considerable body of criminal legislation has been enacted in recent years. A number of these statutes contain provisions which are particularly relevant to the fight against white collar crime. In that context I might mention the Criminal Damage Act, 1991, which made computer hacking a criminal offence and the Criminal Evidence Act, 1992, which allowed computer evidence to be admitted in evidence in criminal proceedings. In addition the Criminal Justice Act, 1994, provides for the confiscation of criminal proceeds and enables the Garda Síochána, on foot of orders made by the District Court, to obtain access to information, from banks etc., for the purpose of carrying out investigations into money laundering and other serious offences. In the course of the reply I have given to Priority Question No. 9 from Deputy O'Donoghue I have also given a commitment that additional provisions of the 1994 Act which are designed to combat money laundering will be brought into operation as soon as possible.
I am at present preparing legislation on fraud which will be based on the report of the advisory committee on fraud and the report of the Law Reform Commission on the law relating to dishonesty. My proposals for legislative reform will be comprehensive and wide-ranging and will be brought forward as soon as possible.
I will shortly be putting proposals before my Government colleagues for the establishment of a National Bureau of Fraud Investigation under the control of a chief superintendent who will be appointed to head the new bureau. Two additional detective inspectors and three professional accountants will also be assigned to the new bureau in line with the recommendations contained in the committee's report. I have also made provision in this year's Estimates for the purchase of specialised fraudrelated information technology equipment.
The strength of the fraud squad has varied over the years and there is a number of vacancies at present. I am determined that the Garda Síochána will have the necessary staff and resources available to it to combat serious fraud and I will shortly be putting proposals to Government on the establishment of the National Bureau.
Once this matter is approved by Government, I will be taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the National Bureau will have available to it all the staffing and resources considered necessary by the advisory committee in its report. In relation to existing vacancies, I will be consulting with the Garda Commissioner in order to ensure that the Garda Fraud Squad as presently constituted has the necessary staffing resources to fulfil its role in advance of the establishment of the proposed National Bureau.