Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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122. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the legislation to date is sufficient to adequately combat the activities of criminal gangs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44483/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that the legislative framework underpinning the State's response to organised crime is kept under review to ensure its on-going effectiveness and robustness.

This is evidenced by the recent strengthening of the proceeds of crime legislative framework to further support the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau. In this regard, the Deputy might recall the new powers introduced under the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2016 which provides for Bureau Officers, subject to certain conditions, to immediately seize and detain property for a 24 hour period. Provision is also made for this period to be extended upon the authorisation of the Chief Bureau Officer, subject to certain conditions, for a further period not exceeding 21 days. In this context, the Act also lowered the thresholds applicable to seizures by reducing the value of property involved from €13,000 to €5,000. In addition, new regulations were made to reduce the prescribed amount of cash suspected of being the proceeds of crime which can be seized, from €6,500 to €1,000. 

An Garda Síochána utilises multi-disciplinary approaches to ensure the activities of individuals and groups involved in criminal enterprise are effectively targeted. This includes the use of money-laundering legislation and the powers available to the Criminal Assets Bureau under the proceeds of crime legislation.  The Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2017, which is currently being drafted, will enhance our existing anti-money laundering framework. It will provide additional powers to the Financial Intelligence Unit, situated in An Garda Síochána, and strengthen cross-border cooperation between it and relevant authorities in other Member States.