Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I support amendment No. 8, which deals with the freezing of assets and the Criminal Assets Bureau. There is cross-party agreement regarding criminal assets and the proceeds of crime. People who have caused major damage to communities, especially those that are disadvantaged, can have the proceeds of their crime confiscated under this legislation. These proceeds should be pumped back into local communities from where they came in the first instance.

I commend the Criminal Assets Bureau on the excellent job it is doing. There is much support for that body, provided it is used in an independent and impartial way. It should not be politicised in any way.

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