Cabinet Committees
Dail Éireann — 2025-11-12
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Micheál Martin (FF), Cork South-Central

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 17, inclusive, together.
The Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs oversees the implementation of programme for Government commitments that relate to matters under these headings. It was established in February 2025 following the appointment of the new Government in January. The Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs had its first meeting on 10 April and met most recently last week. The Cabinet committee covers a range of policy areas, including domestic, sexual and gender-based violence; policing and justice reform; migration; and initiatives tackling local area disadvantage. Among other items, it also oversees the development and delivery of the whole-of-government response to migration and integration, including through a national migration and integration strategy.
The Government is determined to eliminate hate-motivated crime and protect vulnerable communities. Attacks on migrant communities, whether physical, verbal or online, are utterly unacceptable. Everyone has the right to live safely, free from intimidation or abuse regardless of background. Under the recently amended Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024, any assault motivated by hatred will, on conviction, result in a more severe sentence than before. Every hate crime reported to An Garda Síochána is professionally investigated and victims are supported during the criminal justice process. There are more than 530 garda diversity officers nationwide. Their role includes overcoming communication barriers with those from diverse backgrounds through active engagement, open dialogue and collaboration.
In addition to meetings of the Cabinet committee, I have regular engagements with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss issues relating to their Departments.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-11-12/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:05+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-11-12