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clear rules around the exercise of those powers. There are positive provisions here. The statutory right to know why one is being stopped and searched is, of course, important, as is entitlement to have a solicitor present during … interview. However, this legislation also deals with some of the most intrusive powers we have given to the State. It is about stopping, searching and detaining people and accessing their phones and computers. It is potentially about accessing extremely sensitive and privileged information. Therefore, it is entirely reasonable

elements of the wider codification project where there was an urgent need for greater legal certainty. This Bill, therefore, focuses in particular on search, stop and search, access to electronic devices, and custody safeguards. At its core, this Bill places Garda powers on a clear statutory footing, with … targeted and expedited phase of the broader Garda powers reform project, focusing on areas where urgent constitutional and legal clarity is required, particularly search, stop and search, access to electronic devices and custody safeguards. Other elements of the project, including reforms relating to arrest and detention, will

clarity raises real risks, and I am going to get into those. The Bill also clarifies the powers available to gardaí to stop and search members of the public, including requiring that a written record be made of such a search. I welcome that. The issues with stop … communities they serve. One study in 2014 found that people of colour were four times more likely to be the subject of stop and search than white people. It also found that the practice was one of the least effective ways of tackling knife crime compared to other

Sinn Féin welcomes the fact the Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026 codifies Garda use of powers of stop and search, arrest, searches, seizures and detention. This was proposed by the Commission on the Future of Policing in 2018 and should not have taken this long to be implemented … aired on "Prime Time" tonight. The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which recommended the codification of stop and search powers being implemented in this Bill, was established in the aftermath of the controversies and crisis that emerged within An Garda Síochána, including the handling

happening with regard to policing and it is important when the laws this Bill proposes come into place that the person being stopped and searched understands exactly what that means, and not only at the time it happens. I have not been arrested but if I were … probably would not hear what the garda says to me. We need public engagement on what it means. If you are being stopped and searched, you need to know what your rights are, what the gardaí can do and how your human rights are protected. For years

This is an important area in terms of ensuring the legislation is properly weighted because, clearly, the power to stop and search is an important one. It is important gardaí have that capacity but it is also important the context of it and the manner in which … acted on. On the legislation previously, there were provisions in over a dozen pieces of legislation. This clarifies two clear powers to stop and search, which is important. It is important the proper balance is applied here. I will briefly make reference to the programme that will

treatment for all. The legislation also improves accountability. For the first time, gardaí will be required to keep a formal record of stop-and-search actions. While we all acknowledge that the vast majority of gardaí carry out their duties professionally every day, these measures provide reassurance both … effectively. Of course, there are aspects of the Bill that have generated debate, including issues around journalistic privilege, privacy and the stop-and-search procedures. Those are important discussions and they should continue as the legislation progresses. However, the central objective of this Bill is clear

context in which we debate the Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026. The Bill deals with high level reforms, digital evidence, search warrants, stop-and-search powers and custody rights, all of which are, of course, important and matter. However, concerns have been raised by the ICCL around definitions

independent assessment and that is what is contained within this. That is important. There was a lot of commentary about stop-and-search powers and the recording of ethnicity. I am happy to discuss this on Committee Stage but it is important to note that the policy

believe it is his 24th Bill so far this year, which is quite remarkable. This legislation updates and modernises Garda powers around stop and search, entry and search, and the treatment of people in custody, bringing it all together under one single Act. It follows on from … absolute. The safeguards elsewhere in the Bill are new and worth noting. For the first time, for instance, a person who is stopped and searched must be told in plain language why they are being searched and under what provision. A record must be made of every search

House will know, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recommended the consolidation and modernisation of Garda powers to search, arrest and detain persons. Underpinning those recommendations was the need to ensure public confidence in our policing system, which is fundamental to a healthy and functioning … while ensuring that the appropriate judicial safeguards remain in place. The Bill also brings forward measures to ensure that Garda powers to stop and search are applied consistently and are clearly understood by members of the public. It provides a clear statutory basis for the exercise of those

welcome the fact this Bill codifies Garda use of powers to stop and search, arrests, searches and seizures and detention. The point was made that it should not have taken eight years to get here but we are here and I want to welcome those elements

that our policing laws are fit for purpose in a modern Ireland. The Bill seeks to provide a clear framework for Garda stop-and-search powers, the execution of search warrants, the handling of electronic evidence and the rights of persons in custody. As a TD for County

seen for myself how the system is not working at the moment. We all agree there was a necessity to codify for stop-and-search, arrests, searches, seizures and detention. We know there were these 12 pieces of legislation, and from time to time we could probably make

this Bill fails to strike the essential balance between public safety and fundamental human rights. It dramatically expands invasive powers such as stop-and-search and seizure of electronic devices without introducing necessary binding legislation with safeguards. Crucially, it lacks mandatory requirements to record ethnic or demographic data

speedy recovery. I broadly welcome the passage of the Bill through the Seanad. It takes the long-overdue step of streamlining stop-and-search procedures, digital device warrants and integrating the European Union's human rights directives into our domestic laws. However, during the Seanad debates Senator McDowell … terms of shielding journalistic privilege from digital searches. We have to look after people’s basic human rights. Civil liberties watchdogs like the Irish Council for Civil Liberties demanded accountability through the mandatory recording requirements during police stops of people’s background and ethnicity to ensure people were

investigate crime effectively. I welcome the in-depth work that has been done to secure evidence properly. I welcome the framework for stop and search warrants and the handling of evidence. This is particularly evident and needed in my constituency. As the Minister will know, evidence is increasingly

reality at the moment is that gardaí have a very difficult job to do. However, I also think that the power to stop somebody and search them on the street is a hugely significant one. Obviously, people are protected constitutionally from the abuse of that power. That … that criticism. What I do have a concern about is if, for example, I am a garda on patrol and I stop somebody, conduct a search and put into my notebook all the details that I am supposed to under the Act, well and good, but what happens

road in the car. It is not on. He was just doing his work, or going wherever he was going. He was stopped on the road and someone hit him through the window. It is not good enough. I hope he will be all right. I hope … ground was never wrong. They had knowledge of all the people. We have lost that. The Minister mentioned drones for searching places. I hope a search warrant will still have to be initiated to allow a drone to search, in the same way that the superintendent

Minister of State imagine a person's husband or partner being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in their late 50s, then having to search for a nursing home with an Alzheimer's-specific dementia unit when they are 65, and just when they have settled into their … Government are evicting people from their homes. How can the Minister of State stand over it? I plead with him today to stop the closure of Sarsfield Court dementia unit in Glanmire. I could fill that unit today. The Minister of State will know that I have also