Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We will also support the motion. A couple of weeks ago the Minister announced a wide package of measures to bring before the Oireachtas. The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill has passed Second Stage in the Seanad and is now going to Committee Stage. Our party will be putting forward a number of amendments to it, not to change the substance of the Bill but in respect of what happens to the proceeds confiscated. In the region of €8 million has been seized so far and €7 million forfeited. This is a large amount of money and we believe it should be diverted back into communities which have been directly affected by these criminals, instead of going to the Exchequer as is currently the case.

We support the move to reduce the monetary limit to €1,000. There is a requirement to go before the District Court to hold money for longer than 48 hours and we also support that. We have always said we would support any measures brought forward by the Minister to give additional powers to gardaí to combat organised crime more effectively.

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