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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

people cannot afford to live in the areas we are asking them to police. A number of people have raised issues around stop and search, and have said we need to advance stop and search. I understand calls for that from the public and I understand … other jurisdictions there has been profiling based on race and other aspects so if we are going to increase the use of stop and search, why not increase oversight alongside it? Then it would absolutely have my support. The same goes for facial recognition technology. These are great

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

mentality among some young men who feel the need to carry a knife. The response to date has been about more gardaí, stop-and-search powers and longer sentences, none of which are really going to address the problem. My question to the Minister regards the antisocial forum … report? The reality is that gardaí are really stretched and with respect to longer sentences, we have an overcrowded prison system. On stop-and-search powers, there was a report commissioned by the Minister's own Government in 2021, which said that such powers are not going

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

person a brief break from trauma. Something communities like mine experience a lot more than other more affluent communities is being stopped and searched. When I was growing up in north Clondalkin, we used to play a game. I would be going to the shop for my mother … when I was young and I would be stopped and searched. This happened all the time, so we used to have a game to see whose turn it was to get stopped and searched. We would have nothing apart from our football boots with us; it was just

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

debt to Catherine Corless. Her work forced Ireland to confront a history that so many refused to face. Despite being told repeatedly to stop searching, she persisted. Her determination has shown why we cannot accept silence or delay when families are still waiting for answers. Speaking recently about … come in and build apartments over the plots, which is horrific. I don't know it got to that. But that must be stopped and those babies must be found as well. Catherine's words expose the failure of the State's response that leaves families at some

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

experience of Portugal and many other countries that a halfway house will not work because as long as gardaí remain involved in stop-and-search operations and spending precious Garda hours prosecuting personal possession in actions that are corrosive to building good community relations, we will make

which will support our gardaí and give them the tools they need to carry out their job. I support changes to the stop-and-search rules, reforming bail laws and the introduction of facial recognition technology, which should have been introduced in the last term. In particular

forward legislation in respect of Garda powers, which will seek to do a number of things. It will provide express provision for stop and search powers, although these exist at present, in a more detailed way. These are important powers that An Garda Síochána must have. There

Tuesday. Yet, the Minister for Justice has now indicated that new laws would be introduced to give gardaí greater powers to stop and search people who they suspect of carrying knives. My question to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is straightforward. As a former Minister for Justice who made

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of stop and search incidents recorded for each of the years 2015 to 2025, and to date in 2026; the locations at which such stop and searches occurred; and the number of these stop

with officer perception is used successfully in England & Wales and New Zealand to capture accurate ethnicity data at the point of stop-and-search and arrest; if he will commit to introducing a similar standardised system in Ireland without further delay; and if he will make

previous Dáil’s knife crime sub-group of the expert forum on anti-social behaviour, raised any issues in relation to the stop and search powers of Gardaí with respect to knife crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16745/25

Justice the figures for knife crime convictions from 2020 to 2024; if he is considering progressing legislation similar to the UK's !stop and search" campaign to deter knife crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12429/25

Minister for Transport the year search and rescue helicopters started to operate from Casement Aerodrome; when this operation stopped; if air traffic controllers are required for the operation of search and rescue helicopters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57195/25