Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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78. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to work with other jurisdictions on drug-related crime, with a particular emphasis on assets in foreign banks, financial institutions, property and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17592/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Drugs and organised crime continue to be prioritised by An Garda Síochána as a core focus for 2016 through An Garda Síochána’s National Policing Plan.

Given the global nature of the drugs trade international law enforcement co-operation remains a key element in the overall response.

An Garda Síochána already has strong and strategic partnerships in place at international level targeting drug trafficking including, for example, those established through Interpol and Europol, as well as Ireland's participation in the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics based in Lisbon. An Garda Síochána has Garda Liaison Officers based on a full-time basis in other EU Member States, including the Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal.

An Garda Síochána also participate in a number of other European projects targeting the supply of drugs. In this regard, An Garda Síochána is currently conducting a number of ongoing operations in co-operation with Revenue Customs and other international law enforcement units which are being supported by Europol and Interpol and which target persons suspected to be involved in international drug trafficking.

The Criminal Assets Bureau is also engaged in ongoing co-operation with other international law enforcement agencies in the pursuance of its statutory remit including with other national authorities, Interpol and Europol. The Bureau is also a member of two networks, the Camden Assets Regional International Network and the EU Assets Recovery Network which link it closely to agencies involved in the recovery of the proceeds of crime internationally. The Annual Reports of the Bureau provide many examples of the level of co-operation in respect of investigations which have been concluded.

Ireland is also a party to a number of international instruments under the auspices of the United Nations, Council of Europe and European Union which provide for co-operation in targeting money laundering and the proceeds of crime. Under the mechanisms established to monitor implementation and to review the effectiveness of the measures contained in these instruments, my Department and An Garda Síochána, as well as other agencies, are engaged in the ongoing development of international responses in this regard.