Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I would not like Deputy Cuffe to create the impression that CAB's activities are confined to the city of Dublin, which is not the case. It is active and pursues the proceeds of crime throughout the country. For example, it has been very active on a number of occasions in Deputy Howlin's constituency and has recovered very large sums of money. It is not the case that CAB members are somehow sitting in Harcourt Square, thinking only of high profile Dublin people.

The Deputy makes the point that the more CAB can do throughout the country, and the more it can operate on the basis of local information, the better. I have conveyed these views to the Garda Commissioner and the head of CAB, who are responsible for the day to day operation of the Garda Síochána and CAB respectively. Contrary to what has been said in Deputy Howlin's constituency in the past couple of days, I am not micro-managing the Garda and am not in a position to direct it in one direction or another. The Garda Commissioner decides on the deployment of resources. Nonetheless, I have given him every encouragement to expand CAB and my Department has made available civilian accountant and forensic accounting experts to help the bureau with its work. Nobody should think there is any holding back by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the funding or resourcing of CAB.

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