Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister well knows, this arises from the very specific cases that occurred in a period when people were actively engaged in moving large sums of money - ill-gotten gains - out of this country and to sunnier climates such as certain parts of Spain. Properties were purchased in this respect. I must be careful how I describe these activities because I do not want to name particular cases. Activities were undertaken by officials in other countries who knew the funds involved were ill-gotten gains but they chose to turn a blind eye to that. It was a wrong-doing in itself but it could not be punished by this State in any way. There was no possible downside for the people involved because we had no jurisdiction in the matters. This is catering for that "loophole" of such cases that occurred in the past. People using funds in the way they did in those specific cases has resulted in the Minister's proposal this evening, and I hope this goes a long way to ensuring such activity does not happen again.

Perhaps the Minister heard of, or did some fettering of an animal in the past, and this is the same type of thing. The Minister will fetter criminals, not by tying their hands or legs but rather by ensuring they are not free as they have been in the past. To be honest, the criminals were beating the system here and abroad. They had the best of legal people whom they could hire and they could get the best advice on how to use ill-gotten goods to buy properties and invest in businesses, as many of them did abroad. They were involved in different types of hotels and bars in warmer climates than here. In that way, they were able to launder their ill-gotten gains. They could take it from here and buy a business over there, so the money they made over there appeared to be legitimate. Officials working abroad were part and parcel of that system.

I could compare that system to some of the activity going on here now that we have discussed in this Chamber on other nights relating to very questionable insurance claims. The system existed between professional people here and professional people abroad who used the money. This amendment puts the squeeze on and ensures such a practice cannot happen in future. Money is no good to these people unless they can use it. Their ill-gotten gains are no use unless it can be laundered. They are doing it by buying property and especially businesses, including rental properties or restaurants and similar activity. In the 1980s and 1990s such people bought club venues here, particularly in Dublin, in order to legitimise their money. I compliment the Revenue Commissioners on their efforts to put a squeeze on the ill-gotten gains of crime. They did their job and should be complimented on that. Some people paid a very high price as they were terrorised by criminals who targeted them for only doing their job. When the heat got too much for these criminals in Dublin and around the country, they decided to take their money abroad, and that is why what is being discussed by the Minister is so important. If it makes it easier to punish people assisting that type of illegal activity outside the country, it is to be welcomed. That is why I support the Minister's statement. I thank him and his officials for the amendment.

It has taken much work to pull this together as the Department had to account for not just our jurisdiction but others as well. Much time, consideration and research had to go into the process. The Minister only has so much time to do what he does. Much official expertise had to be used in drafting the amendments. I am sure it was tedious work and it was not easy.

7 o’clock

It was not easy for them to do. I recognise that and thank them all for doing their work.

See this speech in context