Dáil debates

Thursday, 8 July 2021

Proceeds of Crime (Investment in Disadvantaged Communities) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members]

 

9:00 pm

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I welcome the debate and the opportunity to discuss these issues.

Targeting the money is central to fighting organised crime. Those who mastermind crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and fraud depend on hiding and converting the proceeds of those crimes. By pursuing the proceeds, we can bring those responsible to justice and meaningfully reduce the incentive to commit the crimes in the first place. We can also use the proceeds to help with the damage that organised crime does to our local communities. The establishment of the community safety innovation fund will ensure that there is proper reinvestment into communities, reflecting the successes we have had in pursuing the proceeds of crime. I acknowledge the support of colleagues across the Government, in particular the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, in facilitating the establishment of the fund.

Enhancing community safety is a priority for the Government. It is reflected across the Justice Plan 2021, which was published by the then Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, earlier this year.

Our goal is to provide effective support and allow areas to develop and to break the cycles of disadvantage. I emphasise, as I did in my opening speech, that the establishment of the community safety fund is intended to complement existing structures. It will not replace existing sources of funding. Rather, it will be an additional and alternative route to funding for important community projects.

I also wish to acknowledge the work of CAB. The bureau is widely regarded as a best-practice model in the context of combating organised crime. It works closely with law enforcement bodies at national and international levels and continues to relentlessly pursue the illicit proceeds of organised crime activity. The investigations conducted by the Criminal Assets Bureau and the consequential proceedings and actions resulted in more than €194.5 million returned to the Exchequer since its establishment in 1996.

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions and look forward to considering these questions further.

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