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An Garda Síochána

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022

Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Ceisteanna (688)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

688. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 384 of 4 May 2022, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to provide a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32345/22]

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Freagraí scríofa

Parliamentary Question No. 384 of 04 May 2022 refers to:

‘the number of external experts consultants on retainer or engaged by the Garda national cybercrime unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau; the number of cases that units secured a conviction in 2021 and to date in 2022’

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister I have no direct role in the internal administration of Garda HR matters.

I am advised that there are currently no expert consultants employed by An Garda Síochána in the area of cybercrime. I am further advised that in 2021, GNCCB closed a total of four hundred and thirty one digital forensic cases in collaboration with investigators in various other sections and divisions. GNCCB also secured convictions in relation to three complex cyber-dependent investigations. In 2022 to date, GNCCB have closed one hundred and sixty one cases in support of investigations being conducted nationally and a number of other cyber dependent investigations are ongoing.

In relation to the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), the Deputy will be aware that CAB is a statutory independent multi-agency body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. As Minister, I have no direct role in the Bureau’s operations.

I am advised that there was one expert consultant engaged for the provision of expert evidence in a legal case in 2021. This was on a stand-alone basis and the consultant was not on a retainer.

CAB also engaged the services of one Quantity Surveyor in 2021 and the services of two Quantity Surveyors in 2022, to date, to provide expert services in CAB investigations. None of these Surveyors were engaged on a retainer.

As CAB’s statutory remit extends to civil asset recovery and not criminal investigations I am advised that the Bureau does not routinely secure convictions. Arising from the foregoing, any convictions secured by the Bureau are generally incidental to the primary aim of which is to deny and deprive persons of the benefit of assets which are derived from criminal conduct. I am advised that the Bureau has secured two such incidental convictions in the time period covered by this Parliamentary Question, both of which were for drugs offences.

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