Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026: Report and Final Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-17
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

I understand what the Senator wants to do is insert the word "place" in section 13(2)(b) so that will be recorded. A lot of information is being recorded already under section 13. It requires the Garda to keep a record that shall contain the following information; the name, address and date of birth of the person or the driver of the vehicle concerned; the time and date of the search the reason or reasons for the search; the provision of this Part under which the search was conducted; and the outcome of the search, including where a search results in the seizure of a thing suspected to be a relevant article or evidence of or relating to the commission or intended commission of an offence, the thing concerned. All of the crucial detail in respect of the search is provided. I do not see the relevance or usefulness of the place of the search.
We are getting the name and personal information in respect of the individual but regarding the place where the search took place, does it matter if it happened in one street in Monaghan town or another street in Monaghan town? I understand the intention behind the amendment, which is to ensure that an adequate record is maintained of the exercise of search powers but it is not necessary. Section 13 already provides for a statutory record to be made of the search, including the time and date on which it occurred. In addition, Garda operational records, such as PULSE, routinely captures further details relating to the exercise of search powers, including information regarding the location of an incident. That information is already provided for on PULSE.
The purpose of the section is to establish the key elements that must be recorded in law. It is neither necessary nor desirable to proscribe every operational detail on the face of primary legislation, where those matters are already addressed through Garda procedures and recording systems. I am satisfied that sufficient records of the exercise of these powers will be available for operational, supervisory and accountability purposes without the need for this additional statutory requirement.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:04+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-17