Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Criminals, as the people of this State and the North know only too well, are becoming increasingly sophisticated as they ply their dangerous trade, whether it is peddling drugs on the streets or killing each other and many innocent people over personal and territorial disputes.Even last night we saw with the BBC "Spotlight" programme that they are now diverting their activities to puppy smuggling because it is a cash-rich business. I welcome the debate on this motion, although I question that the time allowed for debate on such EU directives is very short and it is rushed. Perhaps we can reflect on that and make more time for the debates.

Sinn Féin supports the motion and believes wherever the criminal is, the State must be as well. The motion is, of course, about making it clear to criminals in the State that we will pursue criminal behaviour wherever it surfaces and in whichever guise it surfaces. Sinn Féin brought forward its proceeds of crime Bill to make it crystal clear it supports measures of this nature to dismantle criminal infrastructure wherever it exists. There is no better place to start than the pockets and seizing the financial assets of criminals, such as money in this instance. Sinn Féin fully supports the Criminal Assets Bureau and its ability to seize the assets of criminals. Nevertheless, it is disappointing the Government has delayed unnecessarily the bringing forward of our Bill. We are three weeks off the deadline so there is an urgency in the matter.

We welcome the proposal at an EU level aimed at stopping money laundering by criminals through financial institutions. Although, as I have said, we have no problem supporting that, we call for greater debate around EU directives that have profound implications on the people in this country. That should not be rushed and it should be given the time warranted in both Houses.