Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 248: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to the Twelfth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission and its confirmation that some members of the IRA remain involved in serious criminal activity, the efforts being made by the Criminal Assets Bureau specifically to target members of paramilitary organisations that are benefiting from the proceeds of crime; his views on the establishment of one all-Ireland assets recovery agency to target all loyalist and republican organisations that continue to involve themselves in criminality, including cross-border smuggling of fuel, alcohol, money, cigarettes and other goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32986/06]

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

With regard to individual members of PIRA or any other organisation who remain involved in criminality, the Government has made it perfectly clear that such individuals will be pursued with the full rigour of the law.

The Deputy will understand that I am not in a position to go into detail about individuals who are being or may, in the future, be investigated by the Criminal Assets Bureau. What is clear is that the Criminal Assets Bureau currently in operation in this jurisdiction is regarded by many, both nationally and internationally, as an excellent model for tackling those who seek to profit from crime and the Bureau pursues relentlessly the proceeds of crime, including crime which involves members of paramilitary organisations.

There is already a considerable amount of co-operation between the Bureau and the Assets Recovery Agency in Belfast and London. Investigations have been carried out in conjunction with UK Customs, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Assets Recovery Agency as well as with the Revenue Commissioners. Operations have led to prosecutions and resulted in the forfeiture of assets and the breaking up of a number of organised crime gangs involved in illegal cross border activity. The joint CAB/ARA operation conducted along the border earlier this year, which targeted the activities of a well-known member of the Provisional IRA, and which resulted in the freezing of assets of significant value, provides an excellent example of the efficiency and willingness with which these two bodies cooperate.

This Government will continue to push forward the North/South agenda, including in the area of police cooperation.

While proposals for an all-Ireland assets recovery agency would raise constitutional issues, the Government will continue to promote closer cooperation between the two jurisdictions in all areas where it will prove beneficial to the people of this island.