Mr. Barry Murphy:

I thank the committee for the opportunity to make an opening statement. I am attached to Revenue's investigation, prosecution and frontier management division. I am joined by my colleague, Mr. Brendan O’Hara, who is an assistant principal officer in Revenue’s business taxes policy and legislation division. I understand the purpose of this meeting is to discuss the general scheme of the proceeds of crime (amendment) Bill 2024. In its submission to the committee on 28 February last, Revenue outlined that it did not have any comment on the content of the general scheme itself. However, in its submission, it asked that the committee consider two minor technical amendments to existing definitions referred to in Parts 2 and 3 of the general scheme. These proposed amendments seek to harmonise the relevant definitions with EU regulations and the Tax Acts respectively and would further enhance cross-agency operational efficiencies. Mr. O'Hara and I are happy to discuss these requests and to answer any questions the committee may have regarding same.