Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the work of the expert group examining the Criminal Assets Bureau and reviewing the proceeds of crime legislation; and the date on which its paper will be published. [40141/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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An Expert Group, established under the auspices of my Department, is currently reviewing the Proceeds of Crime legislation with a view to identifying possible improvements which would serve to strengthen the operation of the Criminal Assets Bureau. The Expert Group is engaged in a comprehensive review of the operation of the legislation with particular regard to the experience of the Bureau to date. A number of matters are being reviewed by the Group including 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; short term seizure of assets believed to be the proceeds of crime pending determination by the courts; and further improving measures supporting international cooperation.

I expect the Group to have completed its review early in 2012. When that work concludes it is my intention to make available, in due course, the outcome of that review and to bring forward my proposals in the normal way. It is not possible at this stage to provide the Deputy with a particular date for when the outcome of the Group's work will be made available.