Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 19 November 2020
Select Committee on Justice and Equality
Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Committee Stage
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, and their officials. The Minister for Finance is joining us via video link. Apologies have been received from Deputy Pa Daly.
The purpose of today's meeting is to deal with Committee Stage of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2020. We have amendments on same. I wish to advise members that the Bill contains both justice and finance elements. Unusually, both the Minister of State at the Department of Justice with special responsibility for law reform, Deputy Browne, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, are in attendance as the Bill straddles the elements of policy and law. I hope all members have a copy of the Bill.
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Amendment No. 1 is in the name of the Minister for Justice but because it has a financial element the Minister for Finance will move it.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I move amendment No. 1:
In page 6, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 3 of Act of 2010
3. Section 3 of the Act of 2010 is amended—(a) in subsection (1), by the insertion, after “Act”, of “(other than section 106ZC (inserted by the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Act 2020))”, and
(b) in subsection (2), by the insertion, after “Minister”, of “(or, in the case of regulations under section 106ZC, the Minister for Finance)”.”.
I will move the amendment and the Minister will discuss it. I propose to take amendments Nos. 1 and 8 together.
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State and call the Minister.
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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These amendments address part of the overall transposition of the 5thanti-money laundering directive, 5AMLD, for which various statutory instuments have been introduced in respect of other articles. Further measures are contained in this Bill.
Article 31 of the directive requires that all member states establish a central register of beneficial ownership of express trusts. The deadline for transposition of this article was March 2020. It has been difficult to introduce legislation to provide for the establishment of this register, largely due to the extensive use of trusts in our common law jurisdiction. Trusts are far more widespread in Ireland than in other civil law member states. Fortunately, many trusts operate in sectors that are regulated and where the risk of money laundering is low. As a widely-used mechanism in common law states, the flexibility of the trust is shown by its use for purposes such as pension funds, employee share funds, charities and sports clubs. Trust are generally not used for these purposes in other members states. Rather, the legal vehicles used across the EU are contractual arrangements or corporate entitles and as a result they come within the article 30 remit, which has less onerous reporting requirements. As a result of trusts being used for these purposes in Ireland, Irish individuals could be discriminated against vis-à-viscitizens of other member states as they could find their personal information placed on a register merely by virtue of being a member of a pension scheme or in receipt of shares from their employer. There are also significant data protection considerations, as acknowledged by the European Commission and echoed in advices from its legal services.
It is important to note that there is a requirement for the registers of all member states to be interconnected by March 2021. This means that access to the information on these registers will be available not only to authorised bodies such as financial intelligence units and national competent authorities but also to the public across the EU where a legitimate interest can be shown. Extensive consultation has taken place with the Office of the Attorney General, with external counsel and with solicitors both domestic and international to find an approach to transposition that would meet with the spirit of the directive, align us as closely as possible with our member state counterparts and impose only a proportionate and equitable legislative framework on Irish trustees and beneficiaries of trusts, whether institutional or individual. These amendments are the result of that consultation.
An autonomous interpretation approach has been taken to the definition of "express trusts" and in doing so, similar arrangements in other member states have been considered. The Attorney General advised that the effect of this interpretation under EU law is that a member state is entitled to exclude from the ambit of the article those trusts that are excluded by other member states by reason of their using a legal vehicle or similar arrangement that is not a trust. As a result, occupational pension schemes, employee share schemes and the Haemophilia HIV Trust have been excluded from the requirement to register. With regard to pensions and share schemes, further provisions may be made by regulations to capture beneficial ownership in a similar manner to other member states that do so with reference to article 30. I am introducing a specific definition of "beneficial owner" for amateur sports bodies and unincorporated charities such that only the trustees, committee, governing body or individuals in control of the trust will have to register rather than every member of a club or every individual who donates to or is assisted by a charity. Incorporated sports bodies and charities are obliged to register under SI 16 of 2019, which transposed article 30 and established a register of beneficial ownership for corporate identities. These amendments also provide that I may further prescribe trusts to be included or excluded from the requirement to register under article 31 legislation, having taken into account factors such as the risk of money laundering and the way similar structures are captured in other member states. For example, if it comes to my attention that there is an issue with a particular trust type, I can, as Minister, include them on the register. Conversely, if it is shown that there is low risk, the Minister for Finance can exclude them completely.
AML, and counter-terrorist financing, CTF, has become an increasingly high-profile item on the EU agenda. At the most recent meeting of ECOFIN, a comprehensive set of conclusions were agreed that aimed to strengthen and reform legislation in this area with the aim of publishing legislative proposals in the first quarter of next year. Two of the most significant proposals concern the introduction of an EU single rule book and single supervisor in these areas. It is anticipated that these matters will be achieved through the establishment of a stand-alone EU authority in these areas. Given the uniqueness of our common law jurisdiction following the exit of the UK from the Union, I have ensured that these conclusions require any future developments of frameworks in these areas to take account of common law jurisdictions as well as civil law ones.
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of amendments to this section. We will follow the same format as before with the Minister of State moving the amendments and the Minister speaking to them.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I move amendment No. 2:
In page 6, to delete lines 9 to 15 and substitute the following: “(a) in the definition of “ ‘financial institution’ ”—(i) in subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (g), by the substitution of “if section 2(6) of that Act did not apply,” for “if section 2(6) of that Act did not apply;”, and(b) by the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “property
(ii) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (g):“(h) a virtual asset service provider;”,
service provider”:“(c) ‘property service provider’ means a person who provides a property service within the meaning of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011;”,and
(c) by the insertion of the following definitions:”.
The Minister will discuss amendments Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive, 6 and 7 together.
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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These amendments all relate to the establishment of a registration and supervision regime, for AML and CTF purposes, for virtual asset services providers. The committee will be aware that these amendments propose to add a substantial chapter into the Criminal Justice Act 2010, as amended, along with other amendments to add definitions and consequential changes. I will provide an overview of the aim of these substantial amendments and, of course, provide further details on each of them if members wish.
The purpose of chapter 9A is to create a registration and supervision regime for AML purposes in respect of virtual asset service providers, VASPs. In general, the purpose of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2020 is to transpose much of the 5th anti-money laundering directive, which requires providers of virtual services to be registered and supervised for AML-CTF purposes. 5AMLD defines virtual assets as "a digital representation of value that is neither issued by a central bank or a public authority, nor necessarily attached to a fiat currency, but is accepted by natural or legal persons as a means of payment." It is a digital representation of value that can be digitally traded, or transferred, and can be used for payment or investment purposes. VASP refers to a natural or legal person who, as a business, conducts services involving virtual assets such as exchanges between virtual and fiat assets.
However, the directive is silent on what a registration process for VASPs should look like. In framing this regime, we have sought to address our EU obligations, as well as the international obligations that arise from our membership of the Financial Action Task Force, FATF. The FATF is the international organisation that sets global standards to fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Ireland is a long-standing member.
FATF has 40 recommendations, known as standards, which together provide guidance to members on what an effective AML-CFT framework looks like. Our proposals for the Bill will address the VASPs criteria contained within the standards and therefore further strengthen our financial services framework to shield from the scourge that is money laundering and terrorist financing.
As part of the management and mitigation of emerging money laundering and terrorist financing regimes, FATF recommends that countries ensure VASPs are registered and effectively supervised for AML-CFT purposes. In addition, the FATF guidance requires a VASP registration regime to allow for the Central Bank's withdrawal, restriction or suspension of a registration, where appropriate. FATF also advocates for an offence of operating without a registration.
Furthermore, FATF recommends that five categories of virtual asset service providers be supervised rather than the two specified in the fifth AML directive. While there is a marked difference between the approaches of the EU and FATF on this issue currently, members should note that the EU has clearly indicated its intention to align EU rules in this area, with the FATF recommendations, as soon as possible. Therefore our approach, in adopting legislation now that addresses the FATF recommendations, is careful. It strengthens our financial systems and places us ahead of the curve in regard to EU requirements. We believe it is in our best interest to construct our regulatory framework to meet both our EU and international obligations at this time. The proposed chapter 9A addresses the requirements of the fifth AML directive and also the regime anticipated with reference to FATF guidance.
The new chapter provides for the following: a registration and supervision regime, for AML-CFT purposes, for providers of services relating to virtual assets; enablement of the Central Bank, as competent authority, to undertake a detailed assessment of a firm's policies and procedures before granting registration; a fitness and probity regime to allow the Central Bank to undertake an assessment of the fitness and probity of the beneficial owners of these providers, before granting registration; enablement of the Central Bank to refuse a registration in circumstances where the Bank is not satisfied with the firm's AML-CFT policies and procedures, and-or the fitness and probity of the senior management and-or beneficial owners of the firm; and transitional arrangements for incumbent virtual asset service providers.
The regime proposed will contribute towards maintaining a robust framework in this area for Ireland. It will need to be updated continuously, however, to meet the ever-changing and emerging money laundering and terrorist financing threats across the world.
As mentioned at the outset, this is a substantial amendment that includes a many provisions. If members wish for me to speak in more detail about a particular section, I will be happy to do so.
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I move amendment No. 3:
In page 6, to delete lines 24 to 31 and substitute the following: "'virtual asset' means a digital representation of value that can be digitally traded or transferred and can be used for payment or investment purposes but does not include digital representations of fiat currencies, securities or other financial assets;
'virtual asset service provider' means a person who by way of business carries out one or more of the following activities for, or on behalf of, another person:
(a) exchange between virtual assets and fiat currencies;
(b) exchange between one or more forms of virtual assets;
(c) transfer of virtual assets, that is to say, conduct a transaction on behalf of another person that moves a virtual asset from one virtual asset address or account to another;
(d) custodian wallet provider;
(e) participation in, and provision of, financial services related to an issuer's offer or sale of a virtual asset or both;
but does not include a designated person that is not a financial or credit institution and that provides virtual asset services in an incidental manner and is subject to supervision by a national competent authority, other than the Bank;".".
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I move amendment No. 4:
In page 7, to delete lines 7 and 8 and substitute the following: " "(ia) a virtual asset service provider,".
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Amendment No. 5 was tabled in the names of Deputies Michael Collins, Danny Healy-Rae, Michael Healy-Rae, Mattie McGrath, Nolan and O'Donoghue. None of them is present to move the amendment so it cannot be dealt with under Standing Orders.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to flag a possible Report Stage amendment. The officials are considering the language in respect of section 9 in terms of how it applies to persons who cease to have public functions. Some technical questions arise that may need to be addressed on Report Stage.
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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If any of the Deputies wishes to submit an amendment for Report Stage, it remains an option. The Minister may consider an amendment also.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I move amendment No. 6:
In page 12, to delete lines 30 to 36 and substitute the following:(b) in paragraph (e), by the substitution of ", (d) or (da)" for "or (d)"."."(da) in the case of a designated person that is a property services provider, the Property Services Regulatory Authority;",and
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I move amendment No. 7:
In page 15, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: "Virtual asset service providers
24. The Act of 2010 is amended, in Part 4, by the insertion of the following Chapter after Chapter 9:"CHAPTER 9A
Virtual Asset Service ProvidersInterpretation
106A.In this Chapter—'Act of 1942' means theFit and proper person
'Bank' means the Central Bank of Ireland;
'FATF' means the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering and
Countering the Financing of Terrorism established by the Paris G7 Summit of 1989;
'prescribed' means prescribed by regulations made by the Bank;
'principal officer' means—(a) in relation to a body corporate, any person who is a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or any person purporting to act in such a capacity, or'registration' means a registration granted by the Bank under this Chapter to permit a person to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider and, if such a permission is amended under this Chapter, means the registration as amended.
(b) in relation to a partnership—(i) any person who is a partner in, or a manager or other similar officer of, the partnership or any person purporting to act in such a capacity, and
(ii) in a case where a partner of the partnership is a body corporate, any person who is a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of such a partner or any person purporting to act in such a capacity;
106B.For the purposes of this Chapter, a person is not a fit and proper person if any of the following apply:Registrations held by partnerships(a) the person has been convicted of any of the following offences:(d) the person is otherwise not a fit and proper person.
(i) money laundering;
(ii) terrorist financing;
(iii) an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust;
(iv) an offence in respect of conduct in a place other than the State that would constitute an offence of a kind referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) if the conduct occurred in the State;
(b) in a case where the person is an individual, the person is under 18 years of age;
(c) the person—
(i) has suspended payments due to the person's creditors,
(ii) is unable to meet other obligations to the person's creditors, or
(iii) is an individual who is an undischarged bankrupt;
106C.(1) A reference in a relevant document to a holder or proposed holder of a registration includes, in a case where the holder or proposed holder is a partnership, a reference to each partner of the partnership unless otherwise specified.(2) A reference in subsection (1) to a relevant document is a reference to any of the following:Scope of Bank's supervision – performance of certain functions(a) this Chapter;(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) or section 111, where any requirement is imposed by or under this Chapter on the holder of a registration, and failure to comply with the requirement is an offence, each partner of a partnership (being a partnership that is the holder of a registration) who contravenes the requirement is liable for the offence.
(b) a regulation made for the purposes of this Chapter;
(c) a registration or condition of a registration;
(d) any notice or direction given under this Chapter;
(e) any determination under this Chapter.
106D. (1) The functions conferred on the Bank under—(a) Parts II, IIIC, VIIA, VIIIA and IX of the Act of 1942,
(b) Parts 3 and 4 of the and
(c) Parts 2, 3, 7 and 9 of the shall, in addition to being performable for the purposes to which those provisions relate, be performable for the purposes of ensuring compliance with the Fourth Money Laundering Directive, the Fifth Money Laundering Directive and the Recommendations of FATF.(2) The Minister, where he or she considers it appropriate to do so and following consultation with the Bank, may make regulations conferring additional functions connected with the functions conferred by or under any enactment on the Bank for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Fourth Money Laundering Directive, the Fifth Money Laundering Directive and the Recommendations of FATF.Obligation on virtual asset service providers to register with Bank
(3) Regulations under subsection (2) may provide for such additional functions as may be necessary for the more effective implementation of Recommendations made from time to time by FATF to address and mitigate the risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing.
106E. (1) A person shall not carry on business as a virtual asset service provider, claim to be a virtual asset service provider or represent that the person is a virtual asset service provider unless the person is registered with the Bank under this Chapter.(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable—Transitional provision for existing virtual asset service providers(a) on summary conviction to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.
106F. (1)Notwithstanding section 106E, a person carrying on business as a virtual asset service provider immediately before the coming intooperation of this Chapter, is taken to be registered to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider until the Bank has granted or refused an application to register the person, provided that the person applies to the Bank under section 106G for registration, no later than 3 months after that section comes into operation.(2) Where a person is taken to be registered to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider under subsection (1), the Bank may do either or both of the following:Application for registration(a) impose on that person such conditions or requirements or both as the Bank considers appropriate relating to the proper and orderly regulation and supervision of virtual asset service providers;(3) A condition or requirement imposed, or a direction given, under this section is an appealable decision for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Act of 1942.
(b) direct that person not to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider for such period (not exceeding 3 months) as is specified in the direction.
106G. (1) An individual, body corporate or partnership may apply to the Bank to be registered under this section.(2) An application for registration under this section shall—Grant and refusal of applications for registration(a) be in a form provided or specified by the Bank,(3) For the purposes of assessing whether a beneficial owner is a fit and proper person, the Bank may request the person by notice in writing to attend before a specified officer or employee of the Bank for interview.
(b) specify the name of—
(i) the applicant,
(ii) in a case where the applicant is a body corporate or partnership, any principal officer of the body corporate or partnership (as the case may be), and
(iii) any person who is, or is proposed to be, a beneficial owner of the applicant,
(c) specify the address at which the business of a virtual asset service provider is proposed to be carried on,
(d) contain such other information, and be accompanied by such documents, as the Bank may reasonably request including, for the purposes of the Bank assessing whether persons referred to in paragraph (b) can comply with the provisions of Part 4 and are fit and proper persons, such information and documents as the Bank may reasonably require relating to the steps taken by the applicant to ensure that those persons are fit and proper persons and the process of verification carried out by the applicant for the purposes of so ensuring, and
(e) be accompanied by such fees as are payable in accordance with section 32E of the Act of 1942 in respect of the performance by the Bank of its functions under the Act of 2010.
(4) Nothing in this section or any notice given by the Bank under this section requires a person—(a) to produce to the Bank a document that the person could not have been compelled to produce to a court,(5) The Bank may, by written notice given to an applicant, require the applicant to provide, within the period of not less than 14 days specified in the notice, such additional information and documents as are reasonably necessary to enable the Bank to determine the application for registration.
(b) to give to the Bank information that the person could not have been compelled to give to a court, or
(c) to answer a question (either in writing or at interview) that the person could not have been compelled to answer in a court.
106H. (1) The Bank may refuse an application for registration under section 106G only if—(a) the application does not comply with the requirements of section 106G,
(b) the applicant does not provide any additional documents or information in accordance with a notice given under section 106G,
(c) the Bank has reasonable grounds to be satisfied that information given to the Bank by the applicant in connection with the application is false or misleading in any material particular,
(d) the Bank has reasonable grounds to be satisfied that any of the following persons, is not a fit and proper person:
(i) the applicant;
(ii) in a case in which the applicant is a body corporate or partnership, any principal officer of the body corporate or partnership (as the case may be);
(iii) any person who is, or is proposed to be, a beneficial owner of the applicant,
(e) the applicant has failed to satisfy the Bank that the applicant would,if registered, comply with the obligations imposed on the applicant under this Chapter, or as a designated person under this Part,(f) the applicant has failed to satisfy the Bank that the applicant's business risk assessment, policies and procedures are adequate or fit for purpose,
(g) the applicant has failed to satisfy the Bank that it has in place the resources, procedures and arrangements for the provision of the business of a virtual asset service provider and the performance of activities, taking into account the nature, scale and complexity of its business and all the obligations that the provider has to comply with as a designated person under this Act,
(h) the applicant has failed to satisfy the Bank that the applicant would, if registered, comply with each of the following:(i) any conditions that the Bank would have imposed on the registration concerned, if the Bank had granted the application;(i) the applicant is so structured, or the business of the applicant is so organised, that the applicant is not capable of being regulated under this Chapter, or as a designated person under this Part, to the satisfaction of the Bank,
(ii) any prescribed requirements referred to in section 106M,
(j) where the applicant fails to demonstrate, where applicable, that it can manage and mitigate the risks of engaging in activities that involve the use of anonymity-enhancing technologies or mechanisms and other technologies that obfuscate the identity of the sender, recipient, holder or beneficial owner of a virtual asset,
(k) in a case where the applicant is a body corporate, the body corporate is being wound up,
(l) in a case where the applicant is a partnership, the partnership is dissolved by the death or bankruptcy of a partner or because of the operation of a provision of theor otherwise,
(m) in a case where any person referred to in paragraph (d) has been registered to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider in another Member State, and an authority of the other Member State, that performs functions similar to those of the Bank under this Chapter, has terminated the permission of the person to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider in the other Member State,
(n) in a case where the applicant is a subsidiary of a body corporate has been registered to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider in another Member State, and an authority of the other Member State, that performs functions similar to those of the Bank under this Chapter, has terminated the permission of the body corporate to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider in the other Member State, or
(o) there are objective and demonstrable grounds for believing that the management body of the applicant may pose a threat to its sound and prudent management and to the adequate consideration of its clients and the integrity of the market.(2) If the Bank proposes to refuse an application, the Bank shall serve on the applicant a notice in writing—Bank may impose conditions when granting an application for registration(a) specifying the grounds on which the Bank proposes to refuse the application, and(3) Not later than 21 days after a notice is served on an applicant under subsection (2), the applicant may make written representations to the Bank showing why the Bank should grant the application.
(b) informing the applicant that the applicant may, within 21 days after the service of the notice, make written representations to the Bank showing why the Bank should grant the application.
(4) The Bank may refuse an application only after having considered any representations made by the applicant in accordance with subsection (3).
(5) As soon as practicable after refusing an application, the Bank shall serve a written notice of the refusal on the applicant including a statement setting out the grounds on which the Bank has refused the application.
(6) A decision of the Bank to refuse an application under section 106G is an appealable decision for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Act of 1942.
(7) If the Bank does not refuse the application, it shall grant it and, on granting the application, the Bank shall—(a) record the appropriate particulars of the applicant in the register of persons permitted by the Bank to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider, and
(b) issue the applicant with a registration that permits the applicant to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider.
106I. (1) In granting an application for registration under this Chapter, the Bank may impose on the holder of the registration any conditions that the Bank considers necessary for the proper and orderly regulation of the holder's business as a virtual asset service provider and, in particular, for preventing the business from being used to carry out money laundering or terrorist financing.(2) The Bank shall specify any such conditions in the registration granted to the holder or in one or more documents annexed to that registration.Terms of registration
(3) If, under this section, the Bank imposes any conditions on a registration, the Bank shall serve on the holder of the registration, together with the registration, a written notice of the imposition of the conditions that includes a statement setting out the grounds on which the Bank has imposed the conditions.
(4) A decision of the Bank to register a person subject to conditions under subsection (1) is an appealable decision for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Act of 1942.
106J. (1) A registration comes into force on the day on which the registration is granted, or, if a later date is specified in the registration, on that later date, whether or not an appeal against any conditions of registration is made under section 106I.(2) A registration remains in force, unless sooner revoked under this Chapter from the date on which it comes into force.Bank may amend registration
106K. (1) The Bank may amend a registration granted under this Chapter by varying, replacing or revoking any conditions or by adding a new condition if the Bank considers that the variation, replacement, revocation or addition is necessary for the proper and orderly regulation of the business of the holder of the registration as a virtual asset service provider and, in particular, for preventing the business from being used to carry out money laundering or terrorist financing.(2) If the Bank proposes to amend a registration under this section, the Bank shall serve on the holder of the registration, a notice in writing informing the holder of the Bank's intention to amend the registration.Regulatory disclosure statement
(3) The notice shall—(a) specify the proposed amendment, and(4) Not later than 21 days after a notice is served under subsection (2) on the holder of a registration, the holder may make written representations to the Bank showing why the Bank should not amend the registration.
(b) inform the holder of the registration that the holder may, within 21 days after service of the notice, make written representations to the Bank showing why the Bank should not make that amendment.
(5) The Bank may amend a registration only after having considered any representations to the Bank made in accordance with subsection (4) showing why the Bank should not amend the registration.
(6) The Bank shall serve written notice of any amendment of a registrationon the holder of the registration including a statement setting out the grounds on which the Bank has amended the registration.(7) A decision of the Bank to amend a registration granted under this Chapter is an appealable decision for the purposes of Part VIIA of the Act of 1942.
(8) The amendment of a registration under this section takes effect from the date of the notice of amendment or, if a later date is specified in the notice, from that date, whether or not an appeal against the amendment is made under this section.
106L. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the holder of a registration shall include a statement (in this section referred to as a 'regulatory disclosure statement') in the prescribed form in all advertisements for its services stating that the holder of the registration is registered and supervised by the Bank for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism purposes only.(2) For the purposes of this section, the Bank may prescribe the form of the regulatory disclosure statement including its size and colour and font type and the manner in which the disclosure statement shall be displayed.Offence to fail to comply with conditions or prescribed requirements
(3) In this section 'advertisement' means any form of commercial communication which is intended to publicise or otherwise promote the holder of a registration in relation to the provision by the holder of virtual asset services.
106M. (1) The holder of a registration commits an offence if the holder fails to comply with—(a) any condition of the registration, or
(b) any prescribed requirements.(2) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—Holder of registration to ensure that beneficial owners are fit and proper persons(a) on summary conviction, to a class C fine, or(3) The Bank may prescribe requirements for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) only if the Bank is satisfied that it is necessary to do so for the proper and orderly regulation of the business of virtual asset service providers and, in particular, for preventing such businesses from being used to carry out money laundering or terrorist financing.
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €100,000.
106N. (1) The holder of a registration shall take reasonable steps to ascertain that any person who is a beneficial owner of the virtual asset service provider concerned is a fit and proper person.(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence.Revocation of registration by Bank on application of holder
(3) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—(a) on summary conviction, to a class C fine, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €100,000.
106O.The Bank shall revoke a registration on the application of the holder of the registration, but only if satisfied that the holder of the registration has fully complied with each of the following:(a) any conditions of the registration;
(b) any prescribed requirements referred to in section 106M;
(c) section 106N;
(d) section 106Q;
(e) section 106Y,and if satisfied that the persons in management positions have complied with their obligations to be fit and proper persons.Revocation of registration other than on application of holder
106P.(1)The Bank may revoke a registration under this Chapter only if the Bank has reasonable grounds to be satisfied of any of the following:(a) the holder of the registration has not commenced carrying on business as a virtual asset service provider within 12 months after the date on which the registration was granted;
(b) the holder of the registration has not carried on such a business within the immediately preceding 6 months;
(c) the registration was obtained by means of a false or misleading representation;
(d) any of the following persons is not a fit and proper person:
(i) the holder of the registration;
(ii) in a case where the holder of the registration is a body corporate, a partnership or an individual carrying on business as a virtual asset service provider, any principal officer of the body corporate or partnership (as the case may be);
(iii) any person who is a beneficial owner of the business concerned;
(e) the holder of the registration has contravened or is contravening the obligations imposed on virtual asset service providers, asdesignated persons, under this Part;(f) the holder of the registration has failed to satisfy the Bank that its business risk assessment, policies and procedures are adequate or fit for purpose;
(g) the virtual asset service provider has contravened or is contravening any of the following:
(i) a condition of the registration;
(ii) a specified requirement referred to in section 106M;
(iii) section 106N;
(iv) section 106Q;
(v) section 106Y;
(h) the holder of the registration is so structured, or the business of the holder is so organised, that the holder is not capable of being regulated under this Chapter or as a designated person under this Part;
(i) in a case where the holder of the registration is a body corporate, the body corporate is being wound up;
(j) in a case where the holder of the registration is a partnership, the partnership is dissolved by the death or bankruptcy of a partner or because of the operation of a provision of the or otherwise;
(k) in a case where any person referred to in paragraph (d) has been registered to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider in another Member State, and an authority of the other Member State, that performs functions similar to those of the Bank under this Chapter, has terminated the permission of the person to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider in the other Member State;
(l) in a case where the holder of the registration is a subsidiary of a body corporate that has been registered to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider in another Member State, and an authority of the other Member State, that performs functions similar to those of the Bank under this Chapter, has terminated the permission of the body corporate to carry on business as a virtual asset service provider in the other Member State.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I move amendment No. 8:
In page 15, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: "Designation of Classes of Express Trust, etc. for Certain Purposes
25. The Act of 2010 is amended, in Part 4, by the insertion of the following Chapter after Chapter 9A (inserted by section 24*):"CHAPTER 9B
Designation of Classes of Express Trust (and Matters Related to Such Trusts) for Certain PurposesPurpose of Chapter
106Z. (1)The purpose of this Chapter is to make provision for the meaning that certain words or expressions shall have in regulations that are made, on or after the commencement of section 25of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Act 2020, under section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972, for the purpose of giving effect to Article 31 of the Fourth Money Laundering Directive.(2) Nothing in this Chapter applies to the construction of a word or expression used in another Chapter of this Part.Operation and interpretation (Chapter 9B)
106ZA. (1)Where the relevant regulations specify that, with respect to a particular word or expression, the designated meaning in the Act of 2010 shall apply then the meaning as hereafter provided in this Chapter shall apply with respect to that word or expression.(2) A reference in this Chapter to a definition being 'designated' with respect to a particular word or expression is a reference to the definition (with respect to the particular word or expression) being designated for the purposes of the relevant regulations.Power to prescribe certain matters
(3) In this Chapter—'Act of 1997' means the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997;(4) In this Chapter, a reference to the Fourth Money Laundering Directive is a reference to that Directive as amended by the Fifth Money Laundering Directive.
'relevant regulations' means the regulations referred to in section 106Z(1).
106ZB. The Minister for Finance may by regulations provide for any matter referred to in this Chapter as prescribed or to be prescribed.
Relevant trust – designated meaning
106ZC. (1) The following definition is designated with respect to 'relevant trust':'relevant trust' means an express trust established by deed or other declaration in writing and any other arrangement or class of arrangements as may be prescribed but does not include an excluded arrangement.(2) For the purposes of the definition, designated by subsection (1), with respect to 'relevant trust', 'excluded arrangement' means an arrangement of the following kind:Beneficial owner in relation to relevant trusts – designated meaning(a) an occupational pension scheme that is an approved scheme pursuant to Chapter 1 of Part 30 of the Act of 1997;(3) For the purpose of ensuring the uniform application of European Union law between Member States, the Minister for Finance may prescribe any arrangement or class of arrangements to be an excluded arrangement for the purpose of subsection (2)(g), where he or she is satisfied that such arrangement or class of arrangements is not an express trust or similar legal arrangement within the meaning of the Fourth Money Laundering Directive, taking into consideration such information as is available to him or her on the following matters—
(b) an approved retirement fund within the meaning of Chapter 2 of Part 30 of the Act of 1997;
(c) a profit sharing scheme or employee share ownership trust approved pursuant to Part 17 of the Act of 1997;
(d) a trust for restricted shares within the meaning of section 128D of the Act of 1997;
(e) the Haemophilia HIV Trust which was established by deed dated the 22nd day of November 1989, made between the Minister for Health, of the one part and certain other persons, of the other part;
(f) a unit trust within the meaning of the European Union (Modifications of Statutory Instrument No. 110 of 2019)(Registration of Beneficial Ownership of Certain Financial Vehicles) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 233 of 2020), the beneficial ownership of which, by virtue of the European Union (Anti-Money Laundering: Beneficial Ownership of Corporate Entities) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 110 of 2019), is required to be registered in the Central Register of Beneficial Ownership of Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles, Credit Unions and Unit Trusts;(g) such other arrangement or class of arrangements as may be prescribed.(a) the low risk of money laundering or terrorist financing presented by such arrangement or class of arrangements having regard, in particular, to:(4) For the purpose of ensuring the uniform application of European Union law between Member States, the Minister for Finance may prescribe any arrangement or class of arrangements to be a relevant trust for the purpose of the definition, designated by subsection (1), with respect to 'relevant trust' where he or she is satisfied that such arrangement or class of arrangements is an express trust or a similar legal arrangement within the meaning of the Fourth Money Laundering Directive, taking into consideration such information as is available to him or her on the following matters—(i) the legal structure of such arrangement or class of arrangements;
(ii) any supervision or regulation of such arrangement or class of arrangements under any enactment,and(b) the non-application of Article 31 of the Fourth Money Laundering Directive to arrangements in other Member States having comparable purposes and structures to such arrangement or class of arrangements.(a) the risk of money laundering or terrorist financing presented by such arrangement or class of arrangements having regard, in particular, to:(i) the legal structure of such arrangement or class of arrangements;
(ii) the absence of, or any limitations in, the supervision or regulation of such arrangement or class of arrangements under any enactment,
and(b) the application of Article 31 of the Fourth Money Laundering Directive to arrangements in other Member States having comparable purposes and structures to such arrangement or class of arrangements.
106ZD. (1) Subject to subsections (5) to (7), the following definition is designated with respect to 'beneficial owner' (in relation to a relevant trust):'beneficial owner', in relation to a relevant trust, means any of the following:(a) any individual who is entitled to a vested interest in possession, remainder or reversion, whether or not the interest is defeasible, in the capital of the relevant trust property;
(b) in the case of a relevant trust other than one that is set up or operates entirely for the benefit of individuals referred to in paragraph (a), the class of individuals in whose interest the trust is set up or operates;
(c) any individual who has control over the relevant trust;
(d) the settlor; (e) the trustee;
(f) the protector.(2) For the purposes of the definition, designated by subsection (1), with respect to 'beneficial owner' (in relation to a relevant trust), subsections (3) to (7) shall apply; the relevant regulations may, for convenience of reference, set out any of the provisions of this section (whether those that precede or follow this subsection) notwithstanding the application (provided for by section 106ZA(1)) of those provisions to those regulations.
(3) Except as provided by subsection (5), in this section 'control', in relation to a relevant trust, means a power (whether exercisable alone, jointly with another person or with the consent of another person) under the trust instrument concerned or by law to do any of the following:(a) dispose of, advance, lend, invest, pay or apply the trust property;(4) For the purposes of the definition of 'control' in subsection (3), an individual does not have control solely as a result of the power exercisable collectively at common law to vary or extinguish a trust where the beneficiaries under the trust are at least 18 years of age, have full capacity and (taken together) are absolutely entitled to the property to which the trust applies.
(b) vary the relevant trust;
(c) add or remove a person as a beneficiary or to or from a class of beneficiaries;
(d) appoint or remove trustees;
(e) direct, withhold consent to or veto the exercise of any power referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d).
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), 'beneficial owner', in relation to a relevant trust established for the purpose of holding any assets of an approved body of persons established for, and existing for, the sole purpose of promoting amateur games or amateur sports within the meaning of section 235 of the Act of 1997, means the trustees, the committee or other governing body of the club or association, and any other individual who has control over the relevant trust.
(6) Notwithstanding subsection (1), 'beneficial owner', in relation to a relevant trust that is a charitable trust within the meaning of section 2 of the Charities Act 2009, means the trustees and the committee or other governing body of the charitable trust, and any other individual who has control over the charitable trust.
(7) Notwithstanding subsection (1), 'beneficial owner', in relation to an estate—(a) of a deceased person in the course of administration, andmeans the executor or administrator of the estate, and no other person, for the period in which the estate is being administered.".".
(b) in relation to which there is provision for a relevant trust for one or more beneficiaries,
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I move amendment No. 9:
In page 16, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following:
“Amendment of section 33AK of Central Bank Act 194226. Section 33AK of the Central Bank Act 1942 is amended, in subsection (10), in the definition of ‘supervisory EU legal acts’—(a) in paragraph (ah), by the substitution of ‘12 December 2017,’ for ‘12 December 2017;’, and
(b) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (ah):‘(ai) Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing, amending Regulation (EU) No. 648/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Directive 2005/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Directive 2006/70/EC, as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/843 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018;’.”.
The purpose of this section is to add the anti-money laundering directives to the list of supervisory EU legal Acts in section 33AK(10) and thereby make clear that the professional secrecy obligations of section 33AK(1A) apply to the Central Bank in its role as an anti-money laundering supervisor. Section 33AK(1A) provides that a person to whom subsection (1) applies shall not disclose confidential information if such disclosure is prohibited by the Rome treaty, the ESCB Statute or the supervisory EU legal acts, which are referred to in section 33AK(1A). The amendment is proposed to ensure there is no ambiguity as to whether the provision of other supervisory directives will be sufficient to impose this duty.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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An amendment to section 25 may be required on Report Stage to repeal a provision of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, which amended the principal Act. This provision is in respect of the anti-money laundering regulation of barristers and has now been superseded.
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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We note that and I thank the Minister of State for the information.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Ireland was fined for its delay in transposing the fourth directive. Is transposition enactment or commencement? When is commencement anticipated? What is the relationship between the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Finance? Section 26 refers to the Minister for Justice. Given that the Minister for Finance also has a role in this, what interplay between the two Departments is involved in effecting commencement?
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The estimated timeline is that this entire process will be completed within the next couple of months. A number of statutory instruments will be introduced on foot of the Act, once the Bill has been passed.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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What is the timeline for commencement? How many statutory instruments will be introduced? Will it be three or 20? Is there a plan envisaged for this, with a final date? Is transposition completed when all of the statutory instruments have been published? I appreciate that there has been a delay for obvious reasons. What is the plan?
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The plan is to get this legislation enacted as quickly as possible. We are in the hands of the Houses of the Oireachtas in that respect and we do not have complete control.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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That is obvious but the legislation can be dealt with in Government time. Thereafter, in the Departments, what is the plan for commencement?
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The plan in the Department is that once this legislation has been enacted, any statutory instruments that are required will be enacted as quickly as possible. I cannot give the Deputy a definite date on when that will occur this far removed. This discussion completes the justice elements of the Bill but there might be a number of finance elements to be tweaked.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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We do not have a plan just yet. Perhaps the next time we meet, we could discuss it further.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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There very much is a plan. It is to get the legislation enacted as quickly as possible. We are in the hands of the Houses so we do not have complete control over timelines but we will do it as quick as possible.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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That is not the question I am asking. Maybe we can address the plan for commencement at a later stage.
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Is the Deputy inquiring about the commencement date for particular sections?
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Yes, it is the plan for the commencement of the sections, if that is what the transposition is hanging on. Given that there are two Ministers involved, what is the schedule? I am not asking about enactment.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The plan is to commence this within the next couple of months but I cannot give specific dates at this stage.
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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That is a reasonable response.