Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026 [Seanad]: Second Stage
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-16
============================================================

Catherine Callaghan (FG), Carlow-Kilkenny

I welcome the opportunity to speak today in favour of this Bill. At the heart of the Bill are the people we represent. The public expects to be safe in their communities. They expect the Garda to have the powers necessary to tackle crime and expect those powers to be exercised fairly, transparently and with proper safeguards. This Bill helps to achieve that balance.
For too long, Garda powers have been spread across a range of laws developed over many decades. That has created unnecessary complexity for gardaí, legal practitioners and the public alike. This Bill brings those powers together into one modern and coherent framework, making the law clearer and more accessible for everyone.
The public have a right to feel safe in their homes, towns and villages, and in their daily lives. They also have a right to know that when they come into contact with the criminal justice system, their rights will be protected. That is why the safeguards contained in this legislation are so important. While the Bill gives the Garda clearer powers to tackle crime, it also strengthens protections for ordinary citizens.
Anyone who finds themselves in Garda custody will now have a clear, statutory right to have a solicitor present during questioning. The Bill also requires interviews to be electronically recorded and provides enhanced protections for children and vulnerable persons. These measures strengthen public confidence in the justice system and help ensure fair treatment for all. The legislation also improves accountability. For the first time, gardaí will be required to keep a formal record of stop-and-search actions. While we all acknowledge that the vast majority of gardaí carry out their duties professionally every day, these measures provide reassurance both to the public and to Garda members themselves.
The Bill also reflects the reality of modern crime. Criminals increasingly use digital technology, encrypted communications and electronic devices. The law must keep pace if gardaí are to effectively investigate serious crime and protect the public from those who seek to exploit new technologies for criminal purposes. We know that gardaí are increasingly faced with dangerous situations on our roads, including incidents involving organised crime and reckless driving. While legislation provides the legal framework, it is equally important that Garda members receive the specialist training required to respond safely and effectively in these circumstances. Just as the public have a right to feel safe in their communities, gardaí have a right to feel protected and supported as they carry out their duties on our behalf. Those who put themselves in harm's way to protect others deserve the training, resources and legal protections necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively.
Of course, there are aspects of the Bill that have generated debate, including issues around journalistic privilege, privacy and the stop-and-search procedures. Those are important discussions and they should continue as the legislation progresses. However, the central objective of this Bill is clear. It is about creating a policing framework that works for the public. It is about supporting gardaí in keeping our communities safe. It is about protecting individual rights while ensuring those who engage in criminal activity can be effectively investigated and brought before the courts. As legislators, our responsibility is to ensure that the law keeps pace with a changing society. I believe this Bill does that. It modernises Garda powers, strengthens safeguards and ultimately serves the interests of the law-abiding public. For those reasons, I am happy to support the Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026.

---

Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted.

Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-16