Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on Garda Operation Abbey; the number of persons arrested and charged to date; the number of convictions secured to date; if this operation is still active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10116/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Abbey was set up to investigate organised prostitution and human trafficking in Ireland.

The operation was led by a Detective Superintendent, with expert assistance provided by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI). Arising from links identified in Northern Ireland and the UK, liaison was established with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) in the UK.

A series of raids in 2008 by An Garda Síochána, the PSNI and SOCA resulted in a number of arrests in the UK, this jurisdiction and Northern Ireland. Investigation files were prepared and submitted to the respective Law Officers. In February 2010 two persons received substantial terms of imprisonment in the UK. Significant fines were also imposed.

In conjunction with the criminal investigations, in-depth financial investigations into the financial affairs of a number of suspects were carried out by CAB, GBFI and financial investigators at SOCA, resulting in a substantial amount of cash, properties in Ireland, the UK and South Africa and a number of vehicles being seized. These are currently subject to proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Acts.

In February 2011, three persons pleaded guilty before court in the UK to offences relating to conspiracy to control the proceeds of prostitution and conspiracy to launder money and received respectively additional terms and a term of imprisonment.

An investigation file concerning related activities in this jurisdiction is currently being prepared for the Law Officers and will be submitted in early course.