Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Of course what statistics like that do not contain, because by their nature they cannot, is the amount of financial fraud and financial crime that is prevented due to the work of banks highlighting to their customers what they need to watch out for and be careful of. I am confident, based on the engagement I have had directly with the banks and the Central Bank of Ireland, that the banks we have in Ireland, which I hope will remain and continue to be active, take the issue of financial fraud and financial crime very seriously. I know from the engagement I have regularly with the Central Bank of Ireland that the work it does with regard to cybersecurity and cyber resilience is a big area of focus for the bank. Although this does not fall into my area of direct responsibility, it is an issue of which I am clearly aware. I will, therefore, furnish to the committee the progress that is being made by the Garda and relevant Garda sections in dealing with this matter.

I can get for the Deputy any information they have regarding the number of prosecutions and the amount of activity they carry out in this area.

On legislation we are working on, the next change we aim to deliver is the smooth implementation of the third payment services directive. That will aim to improve the security measures in place in Ireland as part of a Europe-wide move to try to reduce the ability of criminals to gain access to customer accounts.

While the Deputy has the information in relation to the number of crimes committed, I will happily get for the committee and the Deputy information on the level of activity the guards and other State bodies are carrying out in relation to this and the success they have had in prosecutions. From issues brought to my attention through constituency work, not to mention my work as Minister for Finance. I am aware, unfortunately, of successful criminal activity but also of attempts to defraud, phishing and other such activities that were brought to banks and the banks were successful in having the money returned to the person or preventing the crime.