Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on his proposals regarding organised crime developments at EU level. [40142/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Combating serious and organised crime continues to be a key priority of the European Union in the development of an area of freedom, security and justice. The Stockholm Programme – An Open and Secure Europe Serving and Protecting Citizens, is the key strategic document setting out guidelines for legislative and operational planning within the area of freedom, security and justice for the period 2010-2014. Ireland welcomed the Stockholm Programme at the time of its adoption and continues to support the implementation of this five year work programme for the Justice and Home Affairs area.

I am fully supportive of the strategy that the European Union has adopted in the Stockholm Programme and of the practical measures for international cooperation arising from that Programme which provide real and added value to the Community in tackling international serious and organised crime. For example, at the June Council this year my European colleagues and I adopted Conclusions on setting the European Union's priorities for the fight against organised crime between 2011 and 2013. These Conclusions have facilitated further work on the creation and implementation of the first EU policy cycle for organised and serious international crime for the period 2011 to 2013. The policy cycle will allow the Union to focus on those threats and challenges that need specific attention and to develop an approach to tackle and monitor these threats and challenges.

There is, of course, a larger body of work to be progressed in tackling organised crime at the European Union level and this is reflected in the various work programmes and action plans of the EU institutions which outline initiatives to be developed over the coming years. One such initiative which has been given my particular support, and which I have advanced with my European colleagues, is in the area of targeting the proceeds of crime. I have promoted a European wide regime for the confiscation of proceeds of crime, based on the model currently operated by the Criminal Assets Bureau. I am strongly of the view that such a regime would strengthen cooperation across the Union and provide for a more effective European response to the proceeds of crime.

Arising from the work of the European Commission and discussions that have been ongoing at EU level, I hope to see proposals emerge in the near future which will further facilitate productive discussions on such an initiative.