Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1211. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the amount of cash that was seized by gardaí on suspicion of being the proceeds of crime and was returned to the Exchequer in the years 2022 to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38823/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this jurisdiction and disrupting the activities of criminal gangs by depriving them of ill-gotten assets.
As evident in the almost 13% increase in funding since 2021, the Government is committed to ensuring that adequate resources are provided to support the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau in targeting the proceeds of crime.
Under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, the Chief Bureau Officer is responsible for the management and control of the administration and business of the Criminal Assets Bureau, including the staffing of the Bureau. Under the Act, the Chief Bureau Officer is responsible to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána for these functions. As Minister for Justice I have no direct role in these functions.
The Bureau works closely with Gardaí and all law enforcement agencies at national and international levels and continues to focus its efforts on targeting assets deriving from all types of criminal conduct. The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005 makes provision for the Bureau to seize assets that were generated in foreign jurisdictions. This Act enables the Bureau to cooperate fully with other international asset recovery agencies.
I am advised that all monies seized by CAB are remitted to the Central Fund of the Exchequer after the appropriate statutory time frame under the Proceeds of Crime Acts (currently seven years must elapse from date of seizure to remittance to the Exchequer). Therefore, assets (including cash) seized in a given year are not remitted to the Exchequer in that year. Additionally, legal challenges may also extend the length of time from asset seizure to disposal and remittance.
A 'Consent Order' may be obtained under Section 4A of the Act, which allows for agreement between both parties to remit the money earlier than the 7 year waiting period.
I can confirm that no money seized in 2022 or 2023 has been remitted under Section 4A of the Act at present.
I am advised by the Bureau that figures relating to asset recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act by CAB are available publicly in the annual reports published on the Bureau's website:
https://www.cab.ie/annual-reports/
