Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 4

Written Answers. - Misuse of Drugs.

Liam Fitzgerald

Question:

76 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to give additional powers to the Revenue Commissioners to assist their role as part of a joint operation with the Garda Síochána to tackle the drugs problems; whether he has studied the major role played by the revenue authorities in New York in flushing out the drug dealers by seizing funds and in turn ploughing those funds back into providing additional resources for the war against drugs; the similar measures, if any, that are planned in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11418/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they consider that their existing powers are adequate to enable them to discharge their responsibilities. These powers include the right to tax the profits or gains from illegal or unknown sources, including those from dealing in drugs. The Commissioners are committed to taxing such profits whenever it is possible to secure the necessary information for that purpose.

As regards the confiscation of the proceeds of drug trafficking, the necessary provisions for this purpose are contained in the Criminal Justice Act, 1994.

The war against drug trafficking will continue to be funded as required in the normal way. At this stage there are no plans to plough funds that may be confiscated directly back into combating drug traffickers.

The Revenue Commissioners and the Garda have undertaken a joint review of certain recommendations of the Law Reform Commission in relation to co-operation between the two bodies in its report on the confiscation of the proceeds of crime. This matter is under consideration at present by the Government.