Vol. 473 No. 4
438 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if she has satisfied herself that the involvement of the detective garda (details supplied) with a drug dealer and an alleged drug dealer were bona fide Garda operations; and where the Garda has been transferred. [1416/97]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the alleged involvement of the detective garda in these matters was investigated by a senior garda officer. This investigation concluded that any contacts between the member and the persons named were bona fide in the course of his duties as an operational garda.
While I do not normally comment on transfers, it is important to make it clear that the transfer was not related to the contacts referred to by the Deputy, the member being transferred on promotion.
439 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice the amounts of tax recovered by the Criminal Assets Bureau and paid over to the Revenue Commissioners in the year ended 31 December 1996; and the amounts of tax due and unpaid by persons whose tax affairs are being investigated by the Criminal Assets Bureau. [1417/97]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the amount of tax recovered by the Criminal Assets Bureau and paid over to the Revenue Commissioners in the year ended 31 December 1996 was nil.
With regard to the amounts of tax due and unpaid by persons whose tax affairs are being investigated by the Criminal Assets Bureau, I understand that assessments totalling £3,151,892.97 — which represents estimates of tax due in the absence of returns — have been made.
