Bernard J. Durkan
Question:232 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which he or his Department has planned to combat organised crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27421/04]
View answerWednesday, 3 November 2004
Questions (176)
Written answers
I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to Questions Nos. 8, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298 and 299 tabled for answer on 8 July last.
Regarding the Criminal Assets Bureau, the powers of the bureau will be further bolstered with additional measures in the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill now before the Seanad. The Bill will make certain technical amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996, and in particular will remove any doubt that there may be over when a person may be said to be in possession or control of property for the purposes of that Act.
Other relevant legislative initiatives are planned in the context of the Criminal Justice Bill. The first of those is provided for in Part 3 of the Bill. Those provisions will allow the courts to admit in certain specified circumstances previous witness statements where a witness recants or refuses to testify at trial. Given that such refusal to co-operate may arise from intimidation, the provision is designed to ensure that witness statements might still be available to the courts even though the witness subsequently refuses to co-operate. The second initiative, which I will propose by way of an amendment to the Bill, is to make it an offence to participate in or contribute to the activities of a criminal organisation.