Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 195: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the value of properties seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau arising from criminal investigations; if it is intended to accelerate this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21790/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been informed by the Garda Síochána that the Criminal Assets Bureau takes civil proceedings focused on assets which are believed to be the proceeds of criminal conduct. These investigations will, in most cases, follow from earlier criminal investigations. The seizure of assets in criminal investigations or proceedings is carried out by the Director of Public Prosecutions under separate provisions.

The Criminal Assets Bureau takes actions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996, as amended, to seize property which is shown, in the High Court, to be the proceeds of crime. Since 1996, the total value of orders obtained under section 3 of the aforementioned Act is €14,145,245, Stg£2,830,175 and US$5,472,747. The bureau continues to pursue its statutory functions and it will target the proceeds of criminal conduct and seize the proceeds of such activity.

The amendments in the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005 have enhanced the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau in this regard through allowing for the disposal of assets by agreement with relevant parties before the end of the seven-year waiting period established as a safeguard for disposal orders in the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The following table gives a year by year breakdown of the value of section 3 orders obtained by the bureau since its inception.