Written Answers Nos. 369-380
372. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progress to date in respect of permitting PSNI and other UK officers transfer directly into An Garda Síochána at rank-and-file levels; the number of PSNI officers seconded to An Garda Síochána and vice versa; the number of gardai stationed abroad by location; and the number of gardai seconded abroad by location. [23280/26]
View answerSection 94 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act allows the Garda Commissioner, at the request of the Chief Constable of the PSNI, to appoint a member of the PSNI as a member of An Garda Síochána on secondment for a period of not more than three years.
There is currently no provision for the direct transfer on a permanent basis of serving PSNI officers at the rank of sergeant or below into An Garda Síochána. The position regarding direct transfer will, in consultation with our UK and Northern Irish counterparts, be kept under review. An Garda Síochána fulfils a unique unitary role as both the State’s policing and security service and Gardaí may be expected to perform either role during their careers.
It may be noted that any suitably qualified member of the PSNI can apply to join open positions at the rank of Superintendent and above within An Garda Síochána under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 (Appointment to the Ranks of Assistant Garda Commissioner, Chief Superintendent and Superintendent) Regulations 2025 and section 26 and 27 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
Any Regulations made under the Act will continue to honour Ireland’s commitments under the 2002 Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Police Co-operation.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of the end of February 2026, there were no Garda members seconded to the PSNI.
There are seven Gardaí assigned to the Garda Liaison Officer Network, based in Colombia, London, Bangkok, Madrid, Paris, The Hague and Washington DC.
An additional six Gardaí are assigned to liaison duties with international bodies which includes INTERPOL in Lyon, EUROPOL in the Hague, MACO-N in Portugal and the Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.
A further 14 Garda members are assigned to overseas duty with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. I am awaiting confirmation on the number of PSNI officers who may be on secondment in An Garda Síochána at present, and I will write to the Deputy when that information comes to hand.
373. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the date on which he met officially and unofficially with the PSNI chief constable and the Northern Irish Justice Minister; and if he will summarise the nature of those engagements. [23281/26]
View answerOn 4 February 2025, I had an online introductory meeting with the Northern Irish Justice Minister. We subsequently had a short bilateral to discuss topics from the Cross-Border Organised Crime Conference at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on March 10, 2025.
I also met formally with Minister Long in Dublin on 28 May, 2025 under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation on Criminal Justice Matters. This provides a structured framework for North-South collaboration on justice policy and operations. Minister Long and I reviewed progress across established areas of cooperation, including Youth Justice, Victims’ Support, Public Protection, Forensic Science, and Criminal Justice and Social Diversity, and reaffirmed our shared commitment to addressing cross-jurisdictional challenges collaboratively.
During the Cross Border Organised Crime Conference 2026 at Farnham on 2 March this year, I had a formal bilateral with Minister Long. I also met Chief Constable Boucher at the conference but did not have a formal bilateral with him during the day.
374. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23330/26]
View answerThe General Scheme of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2025 was referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS) on 19 May last year, and my officials engaged with the Joint Committee. On 24 September 2025, the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration published its report on PLS of the General Scheme of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Committee made 30 recommendations in relation to the General Scheme.
The Bill was then referred for formal drafting, which is ongoing between my Department and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and is at an advanced stage.
My Department and the Office of the Attorney General are focused on ensuring that the Bill meets all constitutional obligations, including that the best interests of the child are the paramount consideration in any proceedings concerning the guardianship of a child. The proposed legislation delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to “examine proposals to remove guardianship rights from those convicted of killing their partners or a parent of their child”. It upholds a fundamental principle that those convicted of the most serious crimes should not retain automatic legal authority over the children they have left behind.
375. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the actions being taken to combat the rise in antisemitism in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23385/26]
View answerAny acts of hostility or prejudice towards any community of people in Ireland are unacceptable. Ireland has a longstanding commitment to supporting freedom of religion or belief, equality and non-discrimination. The Government is determined to stamp out hate-motivated crimes and to protect all minority communities, including Jewish people, from discrimination.
In the context of rising antisemitism worldwide, I, and Minister O’Callaghan, are conscious of the concerns people have raised in the course of our work and would like to give our assurance that every effort is being made to ensure Jewish people are protected within Ireland. In that regard, the Department has been engaging closely with the Garda Commissioner on ensuring sufficient protections are in place to protect the Jewish community in Ireland.
The Garda National Diversity Unit, operating with the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau (GNCEB) has long established positive relationships with representatives of the Jewish Community in Ireland. In recent times, owing to an increase in antisemitic sentiment, this engagement has strengthened with members of AGS visiting synagogues and providing outreach on a national and local level with the Jewish community.
More broadly, the Anti-Racism Policy Unit in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is responsible for matters relating to racism, Islamophobia and Antisemitism, and coordination of the National Action Plan Against Racism. A senior official from the Anti-Racism Policy Unit currently represents Ireland as the National Coordinator on Combatting Anti-Semitism (EU).
The government is dedicated to combatting the harmful effects of racism and prejudice while fostering a culture of equity, inclusion, and universal human rights. Tackling antisemitism is an increasingly important part of this work, as there can be no place for antisemitism and anti-Semitic rhetoric in Ireland.
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.
377. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of instances in which a juvenile liaison officer has utilised the restorative justice mechanism with a case in 2025 and to date in 2026; and the Garda district in which this option was utilised. [23402/26]
View answerPart 4 of the Children Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the Garda Diversion Programme. The intention is to divert children and young people who have engaged in criminal behaviour away from the criminal justice system and towards more positive life choices. All children who commit criminal offences are considered for admission to the Garda Diversion Programme. Each case is assessed, and the Director of the Garda Diversion Programme decides if the case is suitable, or not, for inclusion.
Section 26 of the Act provides for the presence of a victim at a formal caution, where the young person accepts responsibility for their offending behaviour.
Where the Director of the Diversion programme directs that a restorative caution be administered, it is an opportunity for a child's behaviour to be addressed in a way that holds the child accountable, while ensuring that the victim experiences validation and recognition for the harm.
By validating the victim's experience and by reintegrating the child back into their community, restorative justice is associated with more positive outcomes for the victim and better outcomes for the offender with a lower risk of reoffending.
This process is facilitated by Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLO) appointed at Divisional level on full time JLO duties. The Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau has responsibility for the selection, training, support and ongoing liaison with a network of Juvenile Liaison Officers in every Garda Community Engagement Area.
I am informed by Garda authorities that the following number of referrals were made to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme where the recommendation was for a Section 26 Restorative Caution.
|
Recommendation |
2024 |
Q1 2025 |
|
Section 26 Restorative Caution |
298 |
31 |
Counts refer to referrals, not individuals, made between 1 January 2024 and 31 March 2025, inclusive.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that data in relation to youth referrals in 2025 will not be drawn down for analysis until April 2026. As a result, up-to-date figures for 2025 are not yet available.
The Garda authorities do not publicise these details by Division, as to do so may inadvertently risk exposing the identity of those involved.
378. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there are plans to review current legislation to ensure consistency in how intoxication is assessed across all road users involved in collisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23464/26]
View answerRoad safety is a shared responsibility. The whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport and is taken very seriously across Government.
As you may be aware the development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy falls within the remit of my colleague Darragh O'Brien TD, the Minister for Transport.
An Garda Síochána plays a vital role in enforcing road traffic law and in making our roads safer for all road users. Road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide.
I can inform the Deputy that, under section 9 of the Road Traffic Act, 2010, a Garda can require a person in charge of a “mechanically propelled vehicle” in a public place to provide a preliminary breath/oral fluid specimen where the Garda believes the person has consumed an intoxicant, committed an offence or been involved in a collision or accident causing injury.
Section 10 of that Act enables Gardaí to conduct a Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoint during which a member may stop any “vehicle” and require the driver to provide a preliminary breath/oral fluid specimen.
Under definitions contained in section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, both a bicycle, and an e-bike which complies with criteria of a “pedal cycle” are defined as “vehicles”, for the purposes of sections 9 and 10 of the 2010 Act. Neither, however, fall within the definition of a “mechanically propelled vehicle”.
Consequently, section 9 of the 2010 Act cannot be used to require a bicycle or e-bike user to provide a preliminary breath/oral fluid specimen.
Section 10, however, does apply to a bicycle or e-bike user and users can, therefore, be breathalysed at a Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoint.
An e-bike which is not in compliance with the applicable regulations (that can exceed prescribed speed limitations), may come under the definition of a “mechanically propelled vehicle” and such user may then be subject to a requirement under Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act, 2010.
The Deputy may also wish to note that while bicycle and e-bike users are not currently subject to mandatory testing following a road traffic collision. Under section 6(4) of the 2010 Road Traffic Act a Garda may arrest a cyclist without warrant where the Garda is of the opinion that the person is intoxicated.
379. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific actions that were taken to implement the recommendations arising from an investigation (details supplied) into protected disclosures concerning dysfunctional reporting systems; and the audit or verification that has been carried out to confirm their effectiveness in practice. [23472/26]
View answerMy Department is generally not made aware of protected disclosures investigations in its aegis bodies that operate their own protected disclosures policies, i.e. An Garda Síochána, Irish Prison Service, Legal Aid Board, Courts Service, and Fiosrú. While my Department was informed of recommendations in a report relating to the Irish Prison Service in 2022, any recommendations are followed up within the organisation to which they refer.
380. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total annual expenditure by An Garda Síochána on road policing, including dedicated roads policing units and safety camera operations, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23505/26]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
