Minister for Justice to strengthen Criminal Assets Bureau legislation

Minister for Justice Simon Harris is to bring forward legislation to reform and strengthen the Criminal Assets Bureau, he told the Dáil during statements on organised crime.

Minister Harris said the new powers will "restrict criminals from thwarting the Criminal Assets Bureau through vexatious court challenges".

He said the measures will be included in the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2023, which will also include plans to "reduce the period that must normally elapse before criminal proceeds may be confiscated following a court decision that an asset is a proceed of crime from seven years to two years".

Minister Harris said it will also "grant further powers to the CAB to allow it more effectively share information with other State agencies and with law enforcement in other jurisdictions"..

It will also "grant anonymity to former non-Garda Bureau Officers, other former Bureau staff, experts from, regulatory or investigative bodies or independent experts, such as financial analysts, occasionally contracted by the Bureau, when called upon to give evidence at proceeds of crime hearings".

Minister Harris said work is also underway to divert young children away from a life of crime by bringing forwards a law which will outlaw the grooming of children into crime by making it an offence for an adult to compel, coerce, direct or deceive a child for the purpose of engaging in criminal activity, or for an adult to induce, invite, aid, abet, counsel or procure a child to engage in criminal activity.

"Kids are being deceived by criminal networks into believing crime can bring wealth, bling and a party lifestyle but in reality it brings debts, fear and potentially worse."

Minister Harris was speaking during a debate on organised crime.

He said the murder of David Byrne at The Regency Hotel in Dublin remains a "very live investigation".

The Minister said while he does not want to interfere in a live investigation, he wanted to remind people "justice always prevails".

"You can run. You can try to hide. An Garda Síochána will never stop pursuing and dismantling the criminal gangs causing fear, violence and murder across this country," he said

.Minister Harris said the house will soon be called on to renew the Offences Against the State Act and renew the Special Criminal Court.

"There are political parties in this House seeking to enter Government – but who abscond when the tough decisions are being taken," he said.

"They walk out, or they abstain. This week we have seen the Special Criminal Court working and carrying out its duties.

"Those who doubt its role in the criminal justice system need to be questioned on what their alternative is."