Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he proposes to take to combat organised crime with all its associated activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21799/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the control of operational matters is an issue for the Garda Síochána. I wish to inform the Deputy that there are a number of multi-disciplinary and inter-departmental structures in place which facilitate an integrated and co-ordinated approach to tackling and-or preventing serious and organised crime including the Criminal Assets Bureau, the institutional structures created under the national drugs strategy and the money laundering contact steering committee which is chaired by the Department of Finance.

The establishment of specialist Garda units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Garda national drug unit, operating under the Assistant Commissioner in charge of national support services, has enabled the Garda Síochána to tackle organised crime effectively.

Moreover, a broad range of strong legislation is available to the Garda Síochána to confront organised crime. Our criminal legislative framework which reflects international developments in response to the global growth of organised crime and specific issues within our own domestic situation, is kept under continuous review.

The Private Security Services Act 2004 was signed into law on 4 May 2004. This Act allows for, inter alia, the establishment of a Private Security Authority to control and supervise persons providing security services and to maintain and improve standards in the provision by them of those services. The functions of the authority include the granting and renewal of licences, the issuing of identity cards to licences, the suspension or revocation of licences, the specification of standards in the provision of security services, the specification of qualifications and training requirements and monitoring of the services and service providers in the industry generally.

The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005 was signed into law earlier this year. This Act substantially bolsters the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau in the continuing battle to target the proceeds of all types of crime and will extend those powers to the proceeds of white-collar crime and corruption. The Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is currently on Second Stage in the House, provides for a comprehensive package of anti-crime measures which will enhance the powers of the gardaí in the investigation and prosecution of offences. Part 3 of the Bill makes provision for the admissibility as evidence in court of statements by witnesses who subsequently refuse to testify or who retract their original statements. Proposed amendments to the Bill which are under consideration include, among others, proposals to provide for criminal offences with regard to participation in a criminal organisation.

Ireland also has extensive legislation in place to tackle money laundering activities. The main provisions in Irish law relating to money laundering are set out in section 31 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994, as amended. This Act allows for the designation of certain bodies and persons for anti-money laundering purposes and for the prescribing of certain activities for the purpose of anti-money laundering. The Act requires that, when providing certain specified services, designated bodies and persons are obliged to identify customers and retain certain records. In addition designated bodies and persons must report to the Garda Síochána any suspicion that a money laundering offence has been or is being committed with regard to their business.

The Act also requires designated bodies to adopt measures to prevent and detect the commission of a money laundering offence including, inter alia, the establishment of appropriate internal preventative and detection procedures and the provision of appropriate training of employees, directors and officers. A money laundering steering committee established under the chairmanship of the Department of Finance oversees this aspect of the legislation.

As the Deputy will also be aware, Operation Anvil was initiated by the Garda Commissioner in the Dublin metropolitan region in May this year. This operation is an intelligence-led policing initiative, the focus of which is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting this criminal activity through extensive additional overt patrolling and static checkpoints, and by uniform mobile and foot patrols, supported by armed plain-clothes patrols.

In addition to this, overt patrolling intelligence-led covert operations are also being undertaken in the course of Operation Anvil involving local units and personnel from national Garda investigative units. This operation is being run in conjunction with regular policing activities. The Garda authorities have assured me that combating organised crime will remain at the forefront of its operational activities and my Department will, in consultation with the Garda Síochána, continue to review the situation to ensure that organised crime is tackled effectively.