Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputies Dara Calleary and Finian McGrath for their support for this measure. I regret that Deputy Jonathan O'Brien does not see fit to support it.

To deal with the issues raised, as Deputies Calleary and McGrath referred to CAB, I can confirm I am continuing to engage with my European colleagues in these areas. We now have published by Commissioner Malmström a new European measure to provide greater co-operation in the seizure of criminal assets following criminal convictions being obtained against individuals in serious cases, and also for the freezing of assets pending the hearing of criminal proceedings. I am also proceeding to engage with trying to persuade colleagues in Europe that we should have a European-wide framework whereby, within each European Union member state, there is an agency that replicates our Criminal Assets Bureau, so we would have European-wide co-operation on the civil seizure of criminal assets. I am happy to report to the House that we are having some success in that regard.

Some of the EU member states have gone about enacting such legislation. Bulgaria only two weeks ago succeeded in bringing its legislation through parliament and, indeed, we provided some assistance to the Bulgarian minister in the provision of background information. Slovenia is enacting such legislation and a number of other European countries are also now considering it. That is an issue that is continuing to develop. It takes time but we are making progress.

The reality is organised crime is now international; it does not recognise borders or boundaries. If we are to be successful in tackling organised crime, we must do what is necessary on this island. However, we need far greater co-operation on a European-wide approach so those who benefit from organised crime in one EU state do not feel the proceeds realised by them can be safely invested or held in another EU state.

Turning to what Deputy O'Brien had to say, and perhaps this is my attitude when it comes to the Good Friday Agreement, I would use the terms Derry or Londonderry interchangeably. They are used by the two different communities in Northern Ireland - the Catholic community refers to Derry, the Protestant community refers to Londonderry. It is a place I want to see live in peace.

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