Written Answers Nos. 848-867
848. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his proposals to regulate the use of covert human intelligence sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10215/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra850. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his response to the cases of Veseloy and Others V Russia, Application nos. 23200/10 and 556/10 (ECHR, 2 January 2013), para 51, suggesting that there should be a public, identifiable code of practice regarding the use of covert human intelligence sources; the actions he intends to take arising from such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10217/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra851. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his response to the ECHR case of Veseloy and Others v Russia, para 105, which highlighted that Ireland was an anomaly in Europe in terms of the lack of a legal framework regarding the use of covert human intelligence sources; the actions he intends to take arising from such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10218/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra852. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the independent oversight mechanisms and complaints procedure regarding the use of covert human intelligence sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10219/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 848, 850, 851 and 852 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that there are detailed guidelines governing the procedures and processes relating to the use of covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) by An Garda Síochána, and these are set out in a comprehensive Code of Practice.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is policy not to comment on the specifics of the operation of the CHIS system, as this would be contrary to the public interest. The longstanding policy is adopted for sound reasons of the security of the State, the protection of the lives and safety of individuals, and so as not to advantage those who would do harm by undermining the use of this important investigative technique by An Garda Síochána.
The Deputy may be interested to note that An Garda Síochána published a public statement and a policy document in 2022 in relation to the management and use of CHIS and these documents are available at www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/policy-documents/. The policy document was subject to a review 12 months from its date of effect which resulted in no amendments to the policy; the policy is to be reviewed every three years thereafter.
The operation of the CHIS system is subject to internal oversight by senior Garda management and to independent external oversight, exercised since 2010 by a former judge as the Independent Oversight Authority for CHIS. It has generally not been the practice to publish their reports given the nature of the material concerned.
In the event that any person wishes to make a complaint in relation to an allegation of wrong-doing on the part of a member of An Garda Síochána they may do so to Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, which is independent in the performance of its functions.
The 2013 judgment referred to by the Deputy concerned undercover police operations, in particular the test purchase of illegal drugs and falls to be considered on its own facts. The Court found that the deficiencies in the procedures for authorising the test purchase of illegal drugs exposed the applicants to arbitrary action by the police and undermined the fairness of the criminal proceedings against them. The Court also found that the domestic courts in the country concerned failed to adequately examine the applicants' plea of entrapment by the police. I acknowledge the comparative study conducted by the Court of the arrangements governing such operations across a number of member states of the Council of Europe, including Ireland.
I have no plans to bring forward legislative proposals in relation the CHIS system at present. However, these matters are kept under review.
849. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the composition of the high-level review group which evaluated a proposal from the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland in relation to the use of Garda resources prosecuting court cases; his response to their findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10216/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) recommended that the "responsibility for the prosecution of offences should be removed from the Gardaí and all future Court proceedings should be conducted by legal professionals". This recommendation was accepted in principle by the Government subject to a further evaluation of the implications, including resources.
That subsequent evaluation, which was undertaken by a ‘High-Level Review Group’ (HLRG), concluded that the CoFPI change was not appropriate and recommended instead, the implementation of what they termed the “Reform Model”.
A Summary Prosecution Reform Steering Committee was then established to drive forward the detailed design and implementation of the Reform Model. Under the Reform Model, the HLRG recommended that An Garda Síochána retain responsibility for the conduct of prosecutions in court. The HLRG also recommended that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) be supported in substantially enhancing quality assurance of the prosecution functions by An Garda Síochána in the name of the DPP.
The work of the Steering Committee is ongoing and good progress has been made on the design and implementation of the new Reform Model.
The composition of the High-level Review Group is listed in the [Report of the High Level Review Group on the Role of An Garda Síochána in the Public Prosecution System]. As the Deputy will note, the Group comprised representatives from a wide range of interested parties bringing considerable experience and expertise to bear on the Group's deliberations.
854. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline any current contracts his Department, or bodies under its aegis, have with a corporation or any of its subsidiaries (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10224/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently has a contract with the company referenced for the provision of licencing, support and maintenance of the Department's Financial Management System (FMS).
I am informed that the Courts Service and Irish Prison Service also have their own direct contractual arrangements with the company referenced.
Further, I am informed that It has not been possible for An Garda Síochána to provide the information requested in the timeline provided. I will forward their response to the Deputy when it is available.
855. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a response will issue to a person (details supplied) resident in Kerry who has made repeated written requests to the immigration service delivery of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10281/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that my Department has written to the person concerned on 06 February 2026 regarding the matters raised.
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
856. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 710 on 16 December 2025, if he has received the necessary information from Garda authorities in order to have this PQ answered . [10306/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
857. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the number of Garda vetting applicants processed for those aged 16 in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10319/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
858. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of scramblers seized by the Gardaí in each of the years from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10325/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra859. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of scramblers that were returned to owners following seizure by Gardaí in each of the years from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10326/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 858 and 859 together.
I am informed by Garda authorities that based on incidents of vehicles detained (including those detained under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act) as well as incidents of property seized on PULSE (where there was at least one linked vehicle that was either a scrambler or quad bike or both) the table below outlines incidents where a scrambler or quad bike was seized or detained by An Garda Síochána between 2023 and 2025.
|
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Incidents where scramblers were seized or detained* |
179 |
173 |
167 |
|
Incidents where quad bikes were seized or detained* |
44 |
41 |
40 |
*Figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025, inclusive. All information is based upon operational data from the PULSE system and is liable to change. Multiple vehicles may have been seized at each incident so, therefore, the figures above correspond to the number of incidents in which a vehicle was seized rather than the number of vehicles seized.
Each seizure of a vehicle is individual and the subsequent disposal of any particular vehicle is dependent on the individual circumstances of the case.
Where legislation requires/provides that a scrambler be returned to the owner, that will be done subject to any costs being paid. Where a scrambler is not claimed by the owner, following expiry of any prescribed time limit, the scrambler can be disposed of either by way of sale or destruction.
Where a scrambler is detained as part of a wider criminal investigation, the length of the detention is subject to any evidential need of the investigation and any potential court order at the end of any proceedings.
860. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current position regarding licensing hours for premises showing live televised sporting events that take place after midnight Irish time; whether his Department has carried out any review, analysis or consultation in recent years on the operation of licensing laws in such circumstances; whether any engagement has taken place with An Garda Síochána, the National Transport Authority or representative bodies for the hospitality sector on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10353/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLicensees wishing to operate after midnight must apply to the District Court for a Special Exemption Order (SEO) pursuant to s.5 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1927, as amended. An SEO is required for each night the licensee proposes to open late. An SEO allows for a publican to serve alcohol until 2.30 a.m. on the date specified in the SEO. The granting or refusal of an SEO is entirely a matter for the Court, which is independent in its functions. The decision of the District Court is appealable to the Circuit Court.
My Department does not record the number of SEOs granted, as this is a matter reserved entirely for the Court. It is open to the Deputy to contact the Courts Service directly in this regard, using the dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
In November 2021, a wide-ranging public consultation was launched by my Department, seeking the views of the public on the modernisation of Ireland’s licencing laws. Numerous organisations including representative bodies from the hospitality sector made submissions to this public consultation. The submissions can be found at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/collections/submissions-from-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-the-sale-of-alcohol/.
The Department also published a Summary Report of the Responses to the Public Questionnaire on the Reform of Alcohol Licensing, which can be found at the following link, www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/consultations/public-consultation-on-the-review-of-alcohol-licensing/.
The Programme for Government commits to updating our licensing laws, and in line with this commitment, this will be progressed in due course. All other night-time economy matters (including legislation for same) are the responsibility of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
861. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current policy position of the Government in relation to the processing and approval of short term study visas for junior English language students under 18 years of age from countries (details supplied), who wish to attend short duration English language programmes in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10379/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra862. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether there have been any changes in the past three years to visa processing procedures, approval criteria, documentation requirements or indicative processing timelines for short term study visa applications from junior English language students under 18 years of age from a countries (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10380/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra863. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether applications for short term study visas for accredited English language programmes of between two and four weeks duration are currently being accepted and processed through VFS centres in countries (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10381/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra864. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the number of short term study visa applications under 90 days received, approved and refused in each of the past three years from applicants resident in countries (details supplied), by year and country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10382/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 861, 862, 863 and 864 together.
I can advise the Deputy that any visa required national that wishes to do a short-term study course, of less than 90 days, to learn English in Ireland must have a Short Stay visa (also called a Type C Visa) before travelling to the State.
Applicants will find further details at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/
I can confirm that there has been no recent change to visa processing procedures, approval criteria or documentation requirements in any of my Department's Visa Offices. It should be noted that each application, regardless of nationality, is decided on its own merit. All visa applicants are advised that the responsibility is on them to provide as much information in support of their applications as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website.
My Department is committed to the highest standards in child safeguarding. The parent or guardian of any minor intending to travel to the State should familiarise themselves with the advice contained at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/at-the-border/travelling-with-children/#unaccompanied-minors
I can assure the Deputy that while processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. However, some applications can take considerably longer. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/.
In 2025, approximately 206,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 2% compared to 2024, with over 3,900 additional applications received. This follows a 21% increase in applications in 2024 compared to 2023. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 8,700 additional visa decisions have issued in 2025, compared to 2024.
I can confirm that all applications from Russian and Chinese nationals continue to be accepted and processed. The use of VFS Global’s services provides greater accessibility to applicants across a wider geographical area, particularly in large countries or countries where Ireland does not have consular representation. The use of VFS Global’s centres reduces courier and travel costs for applicants whose nearest Irish Visa Office or Embassy could be located thousands of kilometres away.
These services do not extend to making decisions on visa applications; such decisions are the sole remit of officials from my Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Table 1 below details the Type C Short Stay Study visa applications from Russian and Chinese nationals.
Table 1. Type C Short Stay Study Visa Applications – Russian and Chinese nationals
|
Year |
Russian Federation Received |
Russian Federation Approved |
Russian Federation Refused |
People’s Republic of China Received |
People’s Republic of China Approved |
People’s Republic of China Refused |
|
2025 |
197 |
171 |
24 |
78 |
64 |
4 |
|
2024 |
421 |
412 |
8 |
214 |
204 |
1 |
|
2023 |
285 |
268 |
12 |
189 |
180 |
3 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.
* All approvals and refusals are at first instance.
* In some instances an applicant may apply for and be issued with a visit tourist visa when they were coming for short stay study. These figures cannot be extracted from the overall visit visas and are not included in the above table.
865. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on a citizenship application (details supplied); the reason for delay in this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10404/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe naturalisation application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service.
For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year.
Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to improve up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
866. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of Garda applicants who have passed the interview and medical but are awaiting vetting clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10468/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
867. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the expected timeline for the next Garda reserve intake in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10469/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to examining a range of further measures to enable An Garda Síochána to increase the personnel in the organisation, including recruiting 5,000 new Garda members in the lifetime of the Government and increasing the Garda Reserve.
The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 includes unprecedented funding of €2.74 billion which will support the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Gardaí, 200 more Garda staff a doubling of the Garda Reserve to over 600.
Following the introduction of new regulations governing recruitment, training and deployment of the Reserve a competition to recruit Garda Reserves opened in June 2024 and received over 1,800 applications. In addition, to help support the work of Reserves, the maximum stipend a Reserve member receives for voluntary service in a given year has been increased from €1,000 to €3,000.
The first cohort of 19 successful candidates entered Templemore in 2025 and 17 of these attested in November 2025. A further class of Garda Reserves are currently in training and further intakes will commence training during 2026.
