Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 2

Written Answers. - Criminal Assets Bureau.

Alan Shatter

Question:

419 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the value of assets seized to date by the Criminal Assets Bureau; the way in which these assets are to be managed; and the purpose for which they may be utilised. [9922/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): Since its inception in 1996 and up to 31 December 2000 the Criminal Assets Bureau has secured freezing orders with a view to seizing criminal assets with a combined total value in excess of €19 million. Taxes and interest demanded are in excess of €47 million. In addition, social welfare overpayments assessed, and savings projected, are over €2 million.

Details of the actions taken by the Criminal Assets Bureau in 2001 will be included in the Criminal Assets Bureau annual report 2001, which will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas in due course, in accordance with the provisions of section 21 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. Section 4 of the Proceeds of Crime Act, 1996 provides for the disposal of property frozen where an interlocutory order has been in force for not less than seven years. At the end of this period the High Court may make a disposal order directing that the property be transferred to the Minister for Finance or to such person as the court may determine. No freezing order secured by the bureau in accordance with the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act, 1996, has yet been in force for seven years.