Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
376. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the actions being taken to combat the rise of extreme left wing and right-wing organisations in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23387/26]
View answerIreland, like every other democratic state, is not immune from the threat of violent extremism.
This is an area which An Garda Síochána monitors closely with a view to countering identified threats through investigations and interventions to disrupt the threat posed.
An Garda Síochána work closely with counterparts internationally to share intelligence, monitor trends, develop best practice and assess response requirements.
Extremist activity can manifest both online and in the real world.
While the rights of people with regard to freedom of speech and the right to protest must be - and are - respected, people do not have the right to act in a way that is unlawful causing others to fear for their safety, or in a way that threatens public order. When people go beyond what is lawful, and put others in danger, An Garda Síochána will protect the public and uphold the law.
There is no doubt that the online environment enables the spread of extremist content and also facilitates increased transnational collaboration among like-minded individuals and groups. The manifestation of on-line disinformation and incitement to violent action in the physical world is of particular concern to my Department and An Garda Síochána and part of the Garda response to such incidents is to investigate the role of relevant online activity.
In addition to our counter-terrorist legislation framework comprising the Offences Against the State Acts and the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Acts 2005-2015, there is a range of other legislation which may be relevant in dealing with extremism in a given scenario. This includes the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and Public Order legislation. Under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, it is an offence to incite hatred against persons on account of certain identity characteristics. Additionally, the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Act criminalises the dissemination of exactly the kind of unlawful activity, offline and online, which often informs or encourages violent extremism.
The Garda Síochána role in respect of countering these threats is part of the wider whole-of-Government responsibility with regard to addressing the rise in extremism.
The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport has primary responsibility for Online Safety. The Online Services and Media Regulation Act was introduced and Coimisiún na Meán established to regulate online media, including enforcing rules about how online services or platforms should deal with harmful and illegal content on their services.
The Government and relevant state bodies also engage regularly with EU partners, including through the EU Knowledge Hub on Radicalisation, and also with other partners, on the evolving nature of extremism in various ideologies, to develop our understanding of the evolution of the threat posed.
