I just want to clarify. I am certainly not suggesting that any of the Deputies here are highlighting issues for the purpose of obstructing the legislation or, indeed, trying to obstruct the work of An Garda Síochána. Deputies are highlighting issues that are of concern to them. Similarly, however, in responding to them I have to be able to say be able to say how I think in practice the amendment, if enacted, would impact An Garda Síochána. My view is that if this amendment was enacted, it would have a very negative…

I thank Deputy Carthy for this amendment. As the subheading to it indicates, it is a processing amendment. I want to point out, however, that a processing provision is already provided for and the wording proposed for this section will be governed by the code of practice. The provisions of the recording devices Act are without prejudice to the requirements of the Data Protection Acts. The general principles of data protection are set out in those Acts and the processing of data, including access, retention, storage…

I did look at it and I am opposed to the amendment for the following reason. I am conscious that the Deputy wants to make it a criminal offence if a garda should access or use biometric analysis other than in accordance with the legislation. That would mean that a garda could be prosecuted in circumstances where the mistake was inadvertent or where something was done which did not reach the culpable level that would merit a criminal prosecution. Like the Deputy, I do not want to see gardaí unnecessarily or unfairly…

I thank Deputy Carthy for his amendment. As he indicated, he wants to put into legislation that a pilot programme should be carried out before biometric analysis is commenced by An Garda Síochána. As I mentioned on Committee Stage, the putting in place of a pilot scheme for the roll-out of any new technology is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and is not appropriate to this Bill. For instance, regarding the use of body cameras, which Deputy Carthy mentioned, or the use of Tasers, the Commissioner ha…

I thank Deputy Carthy for tabling these three amendments. One of the things that is noticeable when looking at this type of legislation, which involves data, is that there is a huge amount of legislation in place at present outside of the recording devices Act of 2023. I am referring in particular to the Data Protection Acts. Those Acts contain prohibitions on mass surveillance, indiscriminate searches and utilising biometrics. I do not believe amendment No. 7 is necessary because a lot of what it deals with is alr…

I move amendment No. 10: “11. Section 49 of the Principal Act is amended— (a) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3): “(3) The functions of the designated judge are to— (a) keep under review the operation of Parts 3, 6 and 6A in so far as each of them has come into operation, and (b) report to the Taoiseach from time to time and at least once every 12 months concerning any matters relating to that operation, including the impact of such operation on human rights, that the designated judg…

I am delighted to be here.

Ar dtús, gabhaim buíochas le Seanadóirí Fhianna Fáil as an rún fíorthábhachtach seo a chur síos. Tá a lán oibre ag dul ar aghaidh i mo Roinn féin agus táim ag déanamh a lán oibre ar an gceist dheacair seo. I thank the Fianna Fáil Senators for putting down this extremely important motion. A number of people have indicated it is regrettable or even shameful that we have to discuss this issue again in the House, but it is better that we talk about it until such time as we can say it has been absolutely eliminated from…

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for putting down this very important issue I accept that overcrowding is having an impact on the provision of services within the prison estate, and is having an impact on both prisoners and staff. A lot of outstanding work is ongoing within our prisons that probably does not get enough recognition. This morning, I spent two hours at Mountjoy and Dóchas. Three weeks ago, I visited Castlerea Prison for a full afternoon. In fact, I have visited every prison in the country with the exception …

I am hoping, and it is intended, that we will start preparation works early next year in respect of the extension to Cork Prison. I am hoping and expecting that it will be completed in advance of 2031 and that it will be finished in the latter part of this decade. It is also important to point out that we have a good record in the Irish Prison Service in delivering extensions or new blocks on prison property very quickly. As I said to the Deputy, I was in Castlerea three weeks ago. Works started on a project there …

I thank Senator O’Reilly for raising this very important Commencement matter. A huge part of my portfolio is ensuring there is a full response to the scourge of domestic violence. As Senator O’Reilly will know, one of the avenues down which I must go as a response is ensuring that we do have refuge spaces and safe accommodation for women, and predominantly it is women, fleeing domestic violence in order that they can be accommodated in the short term. The policy in respect of this area is worked through the statuto…

I thank the Senator. He is right. It is important that representatives, such as himself, keep the pressure on politicians and Ministers, such as myself, to ensure that these commitments are followed through with. The fact that the decision has been made and I have written to the Minister, Deputy Browne, indicates the pathway has clearly been commenced. I should also point out that as well as the development of the new refuge in Monaghan to serve the Cavan-Monaghan region, both Cavan and Monaghan county councils hav…

I thank Senator Byrne for raising this very important issue. I commend her on her observation of what was a very significant announcement made last week by me. The decision was made by Government last week as well. That decision concerned the implementation plan for the commencement of the Family Courts Act which, as the Senator knows, was passed by the Houses back in 2024. It proposes an extremely radical reform of the family law courts throughout the country. Obviously, what cannot happen is that I just designate…

I thank Senator Byrne. Whether or not Limerick makes it into phase 1, the good news for the country is that an implementation plan is in place. It sets out three very important timelines. At present we are in the pre-phase 1 designation stage, in terms of preparing for the commencement of phase 1 in January 2027, when three locations will be identified. In phase 2, which will commence in January 2028, we will identify a much broader range of courts around the country. The following year it will operate nationally. …

-----but it is important to know the process is ongoing.

I move: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — family disputes can be difficult and traumatic for those involved, particularly for children and victims of domestic violence; — litigation to resolve those disputes can itself, despite the best efforts of judges, courts officials, and legal representatives, be very challenging for those involved; — family law proceedings concerning child custody, access, guardianship and childcare matters allow attendance and reporting fr…

I am here to seek the approval of Seanad Éireann to opt in to a European Commission proposal for a Council decision to allow member states to resume the automated searching and matching of vehicle registration data, VRD, with the United Kingdom. I emphasise at the outset that this is not a new capability. Under the Prüm decisions by which Ireland is bound, participating EU member states can search and exchange DNA, fingerprints and vehicle registration data with other member states via the automated means for the p…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I thank Senators Gallagher, Scahill and Tully for their contributions. I very much welcome that there is unanimity in the House on agreeing to opt in to this very sensible proposal. A number of issues were raised. Senator Gallagher asked if this would be an annual opt-in. It will not be. Once we opt in that will be the objective achieved and we will be able to exchange vehicle registration data with the United Kingdom from the date of opt-in onwards. Senator Scahill made the…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Seanad for the opportunity to discuss this very important issue this afternoon. Obviously, a very important part of my functions as Minister for justice is responsibility for prisons in Ireland. I am pleased to say that since I have become Minister, I have had the opportunity to visit seven of our prisons to date and, in the very near future, I will be visiting two more. I expect, certainly by the middle of this year, that I will have visited every prison in the country. The …

Ar dtús ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis eis na Seanadóirí as a gcuid óráidí ar an gceist seo, ceist atá fíorthábhachtach ar fad. I thank the Senators for their contributions on this important and challenging debate. I suppose we were discussing two issues here. First is the appropriateness of a court imposing a custodial sentence of prison on a person. Second, if that happens, is the conditions in the prison. There are complex issues. I will deal with the first at the outset and then try to respond to e…