Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has said "the ongoing cooperation" between the Criminal Assets Bureau and the North's Asset Recovery Agency was essential in frustrating the criminal activities of the Provisional IRA.
Mr McDowell told a European conference on policing in Monaghan that these powers were necessary to frustrate the "well advanced project of the Provisional IRA to create a state within a state on this island".
He said the relationship between the two agencies was "a good example of international cooperation" and should be seen as a model for enhanced cooperation between EU states.
Heads of police forces from all over Europe began a three-day conference in Co Monaghan today to discuss co-operation to fight organised crime.
Senior officers from the EU's 25 member-states are meeting in Carrickmacross with their counterparts from applicant states and officials from Europol, Interpol and the International Monetary Fund.
They will compile proposals on cross-border assets confiscation which will then be submitted to the European Commission with a view to framing new EU legislation on assets confiscation.
The conference is being hosted by the Garda through the offices of the Criminal Assets Bureau. Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy is also due address delegates today.