Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-10
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Michael McDowell (IND), National University of Ireland

I want to join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming the Minister of State, congratulating her on her very well-merited appointment and wishing her every success in that appointment.
The Minister indicated, in the Minister of State’s absence, that in his view that if somebody has a pram or trolley, for example, or has had it in their possession that that is covered by the power of search of the person. I was saying to him that it was a very absolute view. It does not necessarily follow that a search of the person involves a search of a trolley or pram or knapsack that someone suspects of their having had in their possession but which they no longer have in their possession. If the Minister is very happy with his interpretation of the law I will not press the matter any further but I do think that some day some smart solicitor or barrister will raise this point and say there was no power of search of the pram; the person was standing away from the pram at the time and the power of search was confined to a personal search or a search under this Part of a vehicle and the knapsack, luggage or whatever in question does not come in within the definition. However, if the Department and the Minister are of the view, and if the Minister of State shares that view, then I will not put the matter any further.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-10