Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-14
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Maria Byrne (CC), Agricultural Panel

I will read out this note because there are precedents to do with some of the reasons the amendments were ruled out of order. After that, we might suspend for approximately ten minutes to discuss it, if that is okay. On amendment No. 1, the precedent is that a similar amendment, No. 3, which was tabled by Senator McDowell on Committee Stage of the International Protection Bill 2026, was ruled out of order for the same reason, as it proposed making the commencement of the Act contingent on an administrative matter to be carried out by the Department and outside the control of the Houses. That is the precedent for amendment No. 1 being ruled out of order.
On amendment No. 26, by way of precedent, Senators should please note that a similar amendment, No. 56, which was tabled by Senators Ruane and Black on Committee Stage of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023, was ruled out of order for the same reason, as it proposed obliging the Garda to record and report on certain equality-related demographics, giving rise to a requirement of An Garda Síochána to invest in ICT upgrades to the PULSE system.
Amendment No. 28, to which Senator McDowell referred, must be ruled out of order as consequential to amendment No. 26 and in accordance with Standing Order 42, as it has the potential to impose a charge on the Revenue. I know the Senator highlighted that he-----

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:57+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-14