240 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Justice if an annual report will issue from the Criminal Assets Bureau independently of other sections of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5120/97]

Section 21 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act, 1996 provides that the bureau shall, as soon as may be, but not later than six months after the end of each year present to me, through the Commissioner, a report of its activities during the year. In accordance with section 21 (1) of the 1996 Act I shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

An annual report for the year ended 31 December 1996 is currently being prepared by the bureau. Section 21 (2) of the Act provides that such reports of the bureau shall include information in such form and regarding such matters as I, as Minister for Justice, may direct.