Dan Boyle (Green Party)

It is apposite that we are having this debate in an atmosphere where there is obvious public discomfort at the existence of violent crime and the effects of such violent crime on communities. The existence of the Criminal Assets Bureau has been a very effective weapon since its inception to undermine the culture that pervades among those who seek to make their way in our society by using criminal means. I note the early part of the debate as to whose idea it was and under whose watch it happened. It is not particularly relevant. The fact is that the Criminal Assets Bureau was a good idea. It has been an effective organisation and there is a commitment on the part of everyone in both Houses of the Oireachtas to ensure it continues to do an effective job.

There is a concern that even at its most effective — the same applies to drug seizures — when we are trying to regain on behalf of society the proceeds of criminal activity, we might be suffering from an iceberg effect. As with drugs, whenever there is a large-scale seizure, it may mean that even more is coming through. If the amount obtained by the Criminal Assets Bureau is increasing in any given year, does it mean there is a possible statistical increase not being measured in criminal activity itself? In his opening contribution, the Minister outlined that the CAB has come through an initial phase with a concentration on particular high-value criminals, as it were, and it is now targeting people deemed to be middle level. There will be diminishing returns from those people with lower asset bases, albeit asset bases acquired by criminal means. That said, the acquisition of any type of assets through this type of activity is obviously scorned by most in society and we need an effective CAB to continue its work.

The figures mentioned in the annual report are very impressive both on an annual and cumulative basis since 1996, not only in terms of the assets seized but also in the tax gained and the social welfare payments saved. When these figures are added together approximately €250 million has either been saved or come into the State's coffers.

Another issue touched upon briefly in the debate and mentioned in the Minister's opening statement is how these resources, tainted as they are, can be best used for the benefit of society. The Minister has stated he has no intention of changing a particular mechanism that has been used and which has been somewhat effective in using these assets for the betterment of society. The Minister mentioned how they could be used for more direct community purposes, especially in the communities that have suffered the worst ravages of crime. While the Minister has said he does not intend changing the existing mechanisms, it might be worth considering in the future. I agree with the Minister that they cannot be used for current expenditure in community development. Community development should not be dependent on funding of this nature. However, there is an argument that we could engage in physical community regeneration with the scale of these resources. This might mean cross-departmental funding or matching funding. Imagination should be used that would allow the proceeds gathered by the Criminal Assets Bureau to be put to the best possible effect.

On my behalf and that of my party I express my concern and sympathy over the events that have occurred this week and so tragically reflected in today's funeral of the murder victim, Shane Geoghegan. We have been here before and particularly in this part of the country. As the Minister is in the Chamber there is an onus on all of us in public life to use this opportunity to propose other ways in which public confidence can be restored because it obviously has been badly damaged by the murder of Shane Geoghegan. "Liveline" is not a programme from which I would often refer anyone in public life to take too many policy decisions. However, there was one contribution to that programme today from a solicitor who recently represented a murder victim. It seemed to represent a new type of thinking and possible short and medium-term solutions as to how we deal with violent death in our society and those bringing these acts upon communities and individuals. A transcript of that programme might show the type of new thinking needed to bring about a greater level of public confidence. I am sure the Minister, in how he has treated his brief to date, will take due cognisance of that and add to the successful work of the Criminal Assets Bureau in achieving the ends desired by all of us in the House.