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have some concerns that the definitions in the Minister's amendment are overly expansive. They risk capturing non-terrorist activity and blur distinctions between intent and action, potentially granting disproportionate State power without sufficient safeguarding or clarity. Does the Minister have any concerns that the amendment's vague

amendment No. 9: In page 4, to delete lines 14 to 29. There is a need for robust legislation to tackle terrorism and terrorist activity. I know everybody can agree on this. I will hang on for a minute, if that is alright, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle

commemoration will be subject to this section. What it will cover are circumstances where people have sought to incite impressionable people to commit terrorist activity. If that has happened, as I am sure the Deputy will agree, the people behind it should be held equally liable

increasingly emerging in areas that were once considered safe and isolated. While Ireland has historically been associated with a relatively low level of terrorist activity, particularly since the Troubles ended, given the changing global landscape and the rise of various extremist ideologies, we have had to have

jury. Tomorrow, the Government is introducing the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill. This will criminalise glorifying "(including by praise or celebration) a terrorist activity", just as the British State is trying to do with Kneecap. It will have a chilling effect on freedom of speech and artistic

with is the provision for the offence of travelling from the State to another state for the purpose of participating in the activities of a terrorist group. In the Bill as it stands, when providing for this requirement section 4D refers to travelling from the State … purposes of committing an offence under section 21 or section 21A of the 1939 Act. This is because participation in the activities of a terrorist group is criminalised under Irish law via section 21 or section 21A of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. These make

that the provisions whose renewal I am seeking today are necessary to support An Garda Síochána in investigating, disrupting and dismantling the activities of terrorists. In addition to providing information on the use of the provisions in question over the past year, the report laid before this House … February 2026, the EU published its agenda to prevent and counter terrorism and online extremism, which reinforces Europe's collective response to evolving terrorist and violent extremist threats. As I have said, the views of An Garda Síochána are clearly set out in the report. That view

Principal Act is amended by— (a) the insertion of the following subsection: “(2A) A body corporate that directs the activities of a terrorist group (at any level of its organisational structure) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to a fine

international terrorism has posed in recent years and must play its full role in countering the threats posed by international terrorist groups both here and elsewhere. The activities and international linkages of organised crime groups have intensified in a manner which challenges the capacity of the State … protect communities from the activities of such groupings. The report also states: An Garda Síochána continue to believe that the nature of these groupings is such that ordinary courts are inadequate to deal with them. In particular, there is a strong concern that attempts would be made

Irish Government and the people of Ireland in relation to the horrific terrorist organisation that is Hamas and the terrorist attack it carried out. We continue to take active steps almost every day to try to assist in practical ways. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs

acknowledging a number of things. The Iranian regime is a deeply repressive one. Its sponsorship of proxy terrorist groups, its terrorism in parts of the region, destabilising activities in the region and its well-documented oppression of its people cannot be ignored. The brutality of those networks

opposition leaders have been arrested and prosecuted. Legislation has been introduced to limit civil society activity in Russia. The Russian authorities are rapidly expanding the numbers of individuals designated as foreign agents, terrorists or extremists to inhibit further any remaining scope for open political discussion. Mariana Katzarova

continue to be clear that Hamas is a terrorist organisation. It is our belief that it should have no role as a jihadi terrorist organisation in a free Palestine. However, Israel's assault has not been entirely about destroying Hamas; it is about destroying Gaza and the Palestinian … diminishing hope of a Palestinian State. Let us look at the comments of Israeli cabinet ministers. National security minister Ben-Gvir actively supports the continued annexation of the West Bank. Finance minister Smotrich has said there is no such thing as the Palestinian people. They have come

attacks on Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, while also supporting EU sanctions against Hamas leaders and those responsible for the atrocious terrorist violence on 7 October. I have reiterated Ireland's previous calls to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, or at a minimum to suspend … took on this role to the most recent meeting I attended, the number of member states speaking out and speaking up and that actively want to see Europe to take a stronger stance, and a stronger position has changed and increased. Ireland along with many other member states

Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I particularly welcome the British Government's decision in September to formally recognise the State of Palestine and its active engagement in the 20-point peace plan to end the conflict in Gaza, which was endorsed by the UN Security Council on 17 November … negotiate in good faith to ensure full implementation. In respect of the British Government's decision to designate Palestinian Action as a terrorist organisation under its Terrorism Act, I understand that this decision is subject to judicial review and is currently before the High Court in London

regime in Tehran. We remain concerned about Iran's malign role in the region, specifically its support of armed non-state actors, or terrorists, such as Hezbollah, the militias in Iraq and the Houthis. Ireland is also concerned about Iran's ongoing weapons and weapons-technology transfers … negotiated settlement that addresses worries about Iran's nuclear programme. There are already significant sanctions in place on Iran in relation to nuclear activities, the supply of weapons to Russia and specific human rights violations. The EU continues to review its sanctions policies. I would encourage an active

there for the purpose of trying to assist the State in combating people who are keen to commit serious criminal offences and terrorist offences and I ask that he give his consideration to recommending that they be supported. Deputy Carthy also said that when it comes … rights of individuals not to be attacked and for them to be able to live peaceful lives without being subjected to serious criminal activity. Deputy Carthy also raised the point about whether these agreements will apply to ferries. He is correct in stating they do not; they only

relates to the Irish passenger information unit, its director, its data protection officer, other staff and its obligations as regards processing and reporting activities. Amendments Nos. 57 to 59, inclusive, insert Chapter 3. Amendment No. 57 provides for the competent authorities designated under the 2018 regulations to remain … provides for designation of all-intra EU flights unilaterally when the State is faced with a genuine and present or foreseeable terrorist threat, but only on approval by the High Court. Amendments Nos. 63 to 71, inclusive, deal with the transfer and exchange of PNR data. Amendment

THEFT AND FRAUD OFFENCES) ACT 2001, THE MARITIME SECURITY ACT 2004, THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT ACT 2006, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE (MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORIST FINANCING) ACT 2010 AND THE EUROPEAN UNION (MARKET ABUSE) REGULATIONS 2016; TO AMEND THE EUROPEAN ARREST WARRANT ACT 2003 TO GIVE FURTHER EFFECT … CRIMINAL JUSTICE (FORENSIC EVIDENCE AND DNA DATABASE SYSTEM) ACT 2014; TO MAKE PROVISION FOR OFFENCES RELATING TO ACCOMMODATION OFFERED IN EXCHANGE FOR SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND FOR THAT PURPOSE TO AMEND THE CRIMINAL LAW (SEXUAL OFFENCES) ACT 2017; TO MAKE PROVISION FOR THE LICENSING OF OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS

will have seen the exact same types of drones that have been besieging Ukraine for the last number of years now being activated. We note the request from the United States Government for assistance from the Ukrainian Government with regard to defence mechanisms. The Irish Government has been … release those detained. Ireland supported new sanctions on Iran in response to the appalling repression, including the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation by the EU in February. The future of Iran remains uncertain following the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei. That Iran has sustained its capacity

very much doubt it. Then there is the second excuse, that they killed X number of civilians but were targeting a Hamas terrorist. That is something akin to dropping an atomic bomb on a crowded shopping mall to get rid of one shoplifter. That is the level … something has to be done about it. There is continued aggressive encroachment by Israeli settlers, tens of thousands of them at this stage, actively supported by members of the Israeli military, without any sanctions or any effort by the Israeli Government to deter them. That simply cannot continue

world over, to the prevention and detection of crime and to safeguarding democratic governments from those who would seek to undermine them by terrorist acts or other threats. What is catalogued in Kenova goes far beyond the rules with which informants and their handlers must abide. Being … perspective, I would emphasise, as I have done repeatedly, that the Garda investigations remain open and An Garda Síochána is fully committed to actively pursuing any new evidence that comes to light. That remains the case for all unresolved Troubles-related cases. I want to take this opportunity

have done in terms of recognition so I will not. I will tell her five things we are doing. First, we are actively involved in the International Court of Justice case. That used to be the Opposition's demand. We took that decision as one of only … breach of international law. We want an alternative plan for Gaza that sees no role for Hamas, a brutal and illegal terrorist organisation. I am sure the Deputy will agree with that. However, it sees the reconstruction of Gaza and a new governance and security arrangement in place

tragic byproduct of war; it is a planned, strategic assault on civilian life and infrastructure in Gaza. Hamas is a terrorist organisation and its attacks on Israel on 7 October were obscene but no crime, however appalling, can justify what has followed. Collective punishment with bombings, shootings … with the egregious assault on Gaza, he and his extreme right-wing cabinet members have undermined a two-state solution by enabling and actively encouraging illegal settlements on the West Bank. He will not be remembered as a guardian of security but as the architect of perpetual conflict

their families. I recall the motion previously adopted by this House, which unreservedly condemned the brutal attacks perpetrated by Hamas and other terrorist organisations on 7 October 2023, which indiscriminately and systematically targeted civilians. The taking of hostages in any scenario is unconscionable. In the 16 months since … state solution and stressed the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. The EU is active in its support to the Palestinian Authority and is taking action on the ground. Last week, the EU's civilian border assistance mission