Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for the appointment of an expert group to review the operation of the proceeds of crime legislation; if this group has been appointed; if so, the members of the group; when he expects this group to report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5590/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware I have asked that a Committee be formed to review the proceeds of crime legislation to ensure that it reflects our experience of the issue over the last number of years and remains a strong and effective deterrent to criminality.

This review will look at areas such as decreasing the amount of time which must elapse before criminal assets which have been frozen become the property of the State, increasing the powers of receivers over properties so as to immediately deprive criminals of the use of those properties, the short term seizure of assets believed to be the proceeds of crime pending determination of the Courts, further improving arrangements for sharing information with similar organisations in other countries and entering into arrangements with other countries where assets which are forfeited as a result of joint investigations can be shared.

I am advised that this Committee will meet for the first time in early February and will consist of senior representatives of An Garda Siochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Attorney General's Office and officials of my own Department. I have asked that this group report to me directly and I will then consider their findings in the light of any suggested amendments to legislation.