Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 June 2004
81 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his view on the recent call made by the SDLP for the establishment of an all-Ireland body to counter organised crime by criminal and paramilitary gangs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16283/04]
View answerI have met the SDLP about this matter and I have noted its proposal. I fully accept the need for the greatest possible level of co-operation between the relevant agencies in both jurisdictions.
Section 5 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996 sets out the functions of the bureau. This provides for co-operation with police forces and with tax and social security authorities outside the State. However, legal advice from the office of the Attorney General has confirmed that the scope of this provision is not sufficient to cover formal co-operation with an agency such as the UK Assets Recovery Agency, as it is a civil forfeiture agency. Consequently, in the context of the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2003, the Government is bringing forward an amendment to section 5 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996 to provide for co-operation with an authority with functions related to the recovery of proceeds of crime. This will enable the Criminal Assets Bureau to co-operate formally with the Assets Recovery Agency in Northern Ireland. The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2003 is awaiting Committee Stage in the House.
