93.—(1) Except where paragraph (2) applies, the Secretary of State may refer an external request in connection with criminal investigations or proceedings in the country from which the request was made and concerning relevant property in Northern Ireland to—
(a)the Director of the Agency;
(b)the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland;
to process it.
(2) This paragraph applies where it appears to the Secretary of State that the request—
(a)is made in connection with criminal investigations or proceedings which relate to an offence involving serious or complex fraud, and
(b)concerns relevant property in Northern Ireland.
(3) Where paragraph (2) applies, the Secretary of State may refer the request to the Director of the Serious Fraud Office to process it.
(4) In this Chapter “the relevant Director” means the Director to whom an external request is referred under paragraph (1) or (3).
(5) The relevant Director may ask the overseas authority which made the request for such further information as may be necessary to determine whether the request is likely to satisfy either of the conditions in article 94.
(6) A request under paragraph (5) may include a request for statements which may be used as evidence.
(7) Where a request concerns relevant property which is in England, Wales or Scotland as well as Northern Ireland, so much of the request as concerns such property shall be dealt with under Part 2 or 3 respectively.