Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2013
155. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Criminal Assets Bureau will start to seize lands where green diesel is being washed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21964/13]
View answerThe Criminal Assets Bureau is a statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996.
The remit of the Bureau is to target those persons who seek to derive benefit from criminal activities. In carrying out this role the Bureau utilises all available legal remedies, primarily those contained in the Proceeds of Crime legislation, Taxes legislation and Social Welfare legislation, to deprive persons of benefits obtained from the proceeds of crime.
I can inform the Deputy that under the Proceeds of Crime legislation the Bureau is empowered to seize the proceeds of crime irrespective of the manner in which it is held, whether in cash, back accounts or property. However, no power of forfeiture exists under the Proceeds of Crime legislation in respect of land by virtue of the fact that criminal conduct is being engaged in on the property itself.
Any decision by the Bureau to seek to apply the Proceeds of Crime legislation to particular assets is an operational matter for the Bureau and the requirements of the Proceeds of Crime legislation must be established to the satisfaction of the Court in each case.
