NEW LEGISLATION WILL put an end to any hint of a culture that suggests that the white collar criminal is a “protected species”, the Minister for Justice has said.

The Bill introduced to the Dáil yesterday by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter is set to give gardaí and prosecutors the powers and procedures to bring prosecutions more efficiently.

Shatter told the Dáil that he is committed to removing any sense that the white collar criminal can “act with impunity”.

He said that his top priority is to restore the faith of the Irish people that white collar crime will be as vigorously prosecuted as it is with all other crime. A statement from Shatter said that there is widespread concern that the investigation and prosecution of white collar crime in this country is taking too long. Shatter said that no matter how complex the crime, no matter how important, wealthy or influential the wrongdoer may be, he or she must be brought before the courts.

He said his intention is to ensure that the new procedures and powers set out in the Bill will speed up future investigations and prosecutions.  The Bill will also mean gardaí can apply to court for an order to require someone with relevant information to produce documents, answer questions and provide information for the purposes of the investigation of relevant offences.  Failure to comply with that order will be an offence.