Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right that white-collar crime is a menace. It is not a victimless crime and it is important that we take tough action against it. That is why there is a commitment in the programme for Government to establish this statutory body. It will be autonomous and independent in nature and it will have the powers to recruit the relevant expertise that is needed. That has already been commenced.

As regards the staffing arrangements between the authority and the Garda Síochána, the director and the Commissioner have committed to developing a new, formal and detailed arrangement in respect of the secondment of Garda resources to the new authority. Matters such as the filling of vacancies as they arise, funding etc. will be dealt with by way of written agreement. The Deputy is correct that there was an issue in the past. Thankfully, although both bodies are independent in nature, they have come together and formalised the arrangement and the Government welcomes that.

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