Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and his officials for coming here. I, too, will be similarly brief.

The function of this committee is to give consideration to the directive. Having read the document that was circulated, I suppose by the Council of European Union, but it was given to us, I would be supportive of us opting in, in respect of this proposal. Financial crimes have become more complex and multi jurisdictional. Therefore, we need to constantly upgrade our laws to ensure that we keep up with the people who engage in financial crime.

I have two questions for the Minister on Brexit and realise that they may be difficult to answer. We must be extremely careful because we have a land border on this island. Obviously a lot of crime is also perpetrated between Ireland and the UK. What is the Minister's apprehension, concern or belief as to what will happen in respect of co-operation between the two jurisdictions and the money laundering directives that exist at present, irrespective of this new directive? Is he satisfied that co-operation will continue with the United Kingdom afterwards?