There are currently ten active investigations by the Criminal Assets Bureau in Waterford, the Joint Policing Committee has heard.
Seven of these are are preliminary while the other three have moved into full investigations.
The law enforcement agency targets the proceeds of crime and is best known for securing the assets of drug dealer John Gilligan.
Members of the JPC heard that people with information on criminal activity would not have to be called as a witness in the event a case proceeded to trial.
However, Fianna Fáil councillor James Tobin says it must do better at making people feel safe to come forward with information.
"If someone reports something they see suspiciously to CAB and if it's investigated and there's a prosecution you don't have to call them as a witness, I think that's something that should be got out there, because most people are afraid."
Sinn Féin's John Hearne says CAB has carried out good work in Waterford before.
"We were bringing in tradesmen and bringing in a lot housewives who were being tortured for money. We were highlighting the criminal activity ..and when people saw they could have a fight back they were telling their friends and they were coming in and CAB were getting all the information for the parishes and they moved on them."
