Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:396 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to expand the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau in the form of a mini-bureau; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22203/02]
Written Answers. - Criminal Assets Bureau.
The Criminal Assets Bureau is a multi-agency body, established by primary legislation, containing officers from the Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, as well as a bureau legal officer and support staff. The bureau's powers and functions are set out in the Criminal Assets Bureau Act, 1996, together with provisions for administrative, operational and ancillary matters. The bureau is a national unit under the direction of a senior officer of the Garda Síochána and there are no plans to expand its work in the form of mini-bureaux. The national drugs strategy 2001-08 provides, however, that the assets of middle-ranking criminals involved in drug dealing will be targeted. The bureau has established appropriate liaison arrangements with Garda divisions throughout the country in order to achieve this objective.