Ireland set to promote ‘security and stability’

The Government is to highlight the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau as a model which other countries could use to target the proceeds of crime.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore told the UN in New York yesterday about Ireland’s intentions for its year as chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

The OSCE is a regional security organisation of 56 states from Europe and North America.

Addressing the security council, Mr Gilmore said the UN and OSCE needed “close and effective co-operation” to tackle threats.

“During our chairmanship, we will build on our joint efforts to tackle transnational threats such as organised crime, cyber-threats including cyber-crime, drugs, terrorism and trafficking. We will focus in particular on measures to counter corruption, money-laundering and terrorist financing.

“We will also consider the issue of confiscation of the proceeds of criminal activity. In this regard, we intend to highlight the work of Ireland’s Criminal Assets Bureau as a model for other participating states to consider.”

Mr Gilmore said another core theme would be the promotion of security and stability.

“We firmly believe that weak governance undermines economic development and exposes states to greater security risks.”

Mr Gilmore said Ireland also intended to prioritise internet freedom.

“As in other parts of the world, the threat to freedom of expression online is ever-present in the OSCE region and appears to be growing. We will work to ensure that existing OSCE commitments in relation to freedom of expression and freedom of the media apply to all forms and means of their exercise.

“As part of these efforts, we intend to organise a conference in Dublin next June for OSCE participating states, at which we will aim to move towards a common understanding of the issues at stake.”