Written answers

Tuesday, 17 October 2017

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Criminal Assets Bureau

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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160. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of lands he has presented for sale in the past ten years that were previously subject to seizure by the Criminal Assets Bureau under the Proceeds of Crime Acts; the number of lands that were eventually sold; the amount of money that was raised from the sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43461/17]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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161. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of properties he has presented for sale in the past ten years that were previously subject to seizure by the Criminal Assets Bureau under the Proceeds of Crime Act; the number of properties that eventually sold; the amount of money that was raised from the sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43462/17]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.

The objectives and functions of the Criminal Assets Bureau are set out in sections 4 and 5 respectively of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996.  In summary, they require the Bureau to:

(i) identify and investigate the proceeds of criminal conduct;

(ii) take action under the Proceeds of Crime Acts 1996-2016 to deny and deprive people of the benefit of assets that are the proceeds of criminal conduct by freezing, preserving and confiscating them;

(iii) take action under the Revenue Acts to ensure that the proceeds of criminal activity are subject to tax; and

(iv) investigate and determine claims for or in respect of benefits under the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993.

The Proceeds of Crime Acts (as amended) also provides the legal framework underpinning the Bureau's powers to take all necessary actions, including the making of applications to the High Court, in relation to the seizing and securing of assets with a view to their disposal in due course in accordance with the provisions of that legislation.

The Deputy has sought specific information in relation to lands and properties. I would point out that Section 21 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996 requires the Bureau, through the Garda Commissioner, to provide an annual report of its activities to the Minister for Justice and Equality who is then required to lay copies of the report before each House of the Oireachtas.  The Annual Reports, including the most recent one for 2016 which was published last July, are available in the Oireachtas library and on the website of An Garda Síochána. They also published on the website of the Department of Justice and Equality. 

In Part 3 of the 2016 Report for instance, detailed information is provided in relation to the number of cases brought before the High Court under the various provisions of the Act; the number and types of assets broken down by reference to categories such as jewellery, property, vehicles and cash/financial and their respective valuations; and the value of assets transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform following the making of a disposal order by the High Court under Section 4 of the Proceeds of Crime Acts 1996 (as amended).  Comparative data relating to the actions of the Bureau under the Revenue Acts and the Social Welfare Consolidation Act are also provided in these annual reports.

In order to mitigate any risk of harm, the Deputy will understand that it would not be appropriate to be specific about individual properties or individual lands which could be currently in the process of sale on behalf of the Bureau, or which have been purchased.

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