I thank the Deputy for his question. I am very aware of his long-standing interest and commitment in respect of this issue. I regret that there is a series of legislative priorities within my Department's remit at present. Departmental staff are working on 31 Bills. Officials in the Department, along with their counterparts in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, continue to work on this Bill, and all the other legislation, as promptly as possible. It may not be satisfactory from the Deputy's point of view that I cannot give him a definitive timeline for when the heads of Bill will be published, but it is still very much a clear commitment of this Government, as referenced in the programme for Government, to address the historical wrongs that were done to people who were criminalised under these laws. I am committed to publishing the relevant heads of Bill in due course. As the Deputy will know, these Victorian-era laws criminalised consensual sexual activity between men until those laws were repealed in 1993. He mentioned that in 2021, a working group was formed to examine the disregard of such convictions. The group met 11 times during its tenure. In late 2022, the Department held a public consultation on key issues related to the development of a scheme to disregard relevant convictions. That consultation process received nearly 150 submissions from wide groups of societal interests throughout the country. Their deliberations were invaluable and helped shape the final recommendations from the group. A summary report of this extensive consultation has since been published. Then Minister, Deputy McEntee, published the group’s final report in 2023. It contains 95 recommendations. I am committed to translating these recommendations into heads of Bill. I will do so as promptly as I can, but I have to be frank with the Deputy in saying there are so many different competing interests that I would have to take people off another Bill to expedite this Bill in order to get it done as promptly as possible.
Sentiment score: 0.12
What I will do, although I have not discussed this with the Department, is give consideration to some short mechanism to put some provision in a miscellaneous provisions Bill that would deal with disregarding convictions that were imposed in these types of cases. In respect of the post office scandal in the UK, general legislation was introduced very promptly within a statutory scheme, which stated that for anyone convicted of these offences, those convictions would be disregarded. I will give some consideration as to whether that is possible. However, the Deputy will be aware that this is a complex issue. If we go back and start appraising and assessing many of the convictions from the fifties and sixties individually - to be frank, I am not aware of the number of convictions but for the type of convictions I am aware of - that would probably be problematic. I will see if there is any general statutory provision that could be introduced in a miscellaneous provisions Bill stating that for anyone convicted of an offence, that offence would be disregarded. However, that could be complicated.
Sentiment score: -0.31
I commend Kieran Rose on the excellent work he has done in this area. He has been in contact with me frequently as well. I would appreciate getting a copy of that research. We are trying to revisit an injustice that was done to people in a different era. It is commendable that there is agreement in the House that this should be done. What we are discussing is the most appropriate statutory mechanism to do that. The more complex we make it, the more lengthy it will be. I will look to see if any straightforward, simple legislative solution could be introduced. It may require people to apply. Alternatively, we could just apply it across the board, even posthumously to persons convicted of such offences. I will discuss it in the Department. Again, I thank the Deputy for raising the issue.
Sentiment score: 0.14
I thank the Deputy for his question. He specifically focused on the appeals tribunal but it is important to consider the position at first instance because that will really be the driver of the work for the appeals tribunal. The process of hearing and determining appeals at first instance has speeded up very significantly, even in the past year. In 2024, the IPO delivered more than 14,000 decisions at first instance by comparison with 8,500 in 2023. Already in 2025, or in the first third of the year, the office has delivered nearly 7,000 decisions. If it keeps going at that rate, we should get to between 20,000 and 21,000 decisions at first instance this year. Many of these decisions, although not all, are appealed to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, IPAT. Let me give the up-to-date position. As of 2 May of this year, the appeals tribunal had 12,613 appeals on hand. When we consider the number of appeals it has completed to date in 2025, we see it has completed only 1,583. The Deputy will see we are getting on top of the number of decisions on applications at first instance, but regrettably that is not happening at the appeal stage of the process. However, we are resourcing the system much more and trying to get more tribunal members in to determine the appeals. It is recognised that we are going to be able to improve and increase the tribunal’s decision-making capacity. We believe IPAT’s decision-making capacity will increase further this year, with a target of concluding more than 5,500 appeals by the year’s end, assuming the anticipated new members can be got on board quickly and trained and become effective.
Sentiment score: 0.15
The Deputy is correct that in trying to get a handle on, and gain control of, the appeals process, we also need to try to reduce the number of people coming to Ireland seeking asylum. We need to recognise that of the cases processed this year at first instance, more than 80% have been rejected. Regrettably, too many people are coming to Ireland claiming asylum who are not entitled to it. I accept what the Deputy said about the appeals process: it needs to be expedited. We can expedite it through the recruitment of more tribunal members, and that is something we are doing. We are also going to change the process by which an oral hearing can be available in an appeal. At present, one is entitled to an oral hearing having already had an oral hearing at first instance. There is an oral hearing at first instance and there is an oral appeal. The general scheme of the international protection Bill, which I published earlier this month, will provide that only in exceptional circumstances would one be entitled to an oral hearing in the appeals process. That will expedite the process.
Sentiment score: 0.04
As I indicated previously, the number of appeals on hand for the appeals tribunal is in the region of 12,000. I cannot give a breakdown of the years from which they originate. With regard to judicial review, there is a trend whereby people get a decision in the first instance and then appeal, and when they are rejected on appeal, they proceed to a judicial review. We also need to examine the judicial review system. A judicial review should not act as a stay upon an order that has been made by the appeals tribunal. We seem to just accept it as standard procedure that if a judicial review is initiated, the effect of the decision of the appeals tribunal is suspended. It should not be. I am going to examine this in the context of introducing legislation to deal with civil legal reform in the area of judicial reviews. With regard to the oral hearings, there is no absolute right to an oral hearing at appeal stage. People have an oral hearing at first instance, and that is absolutely entrenched; however, just because someone has an oral hearing at first instance does not mean he or she is entitled to go through a full re-hearing at the appeal stage. We will, however, ensure that the appeals tribunal will in all instances have a record of what is said at oral hearings in the first instance.
Sentiment score: 0.04
I thank Deputy McGrath for this important question. I commend him on asking it because in order to achieve what we want to in the criminal justice system, we need an appropriate number of members of An Garda Síochána in the force. The Deputy asked a question about Templemore, which I will answer presently. He has also consistently and effectively campaigned to get more gardaí on the street in Cork city and county. I thank him for organising a recent trip to Togher Garda station, which was very instructive and useful to me as Minister for Justice. On getting more gardaí on the street, we need to ensure we get more of them into Templemore. After I was appointed, a recruitment competition started for An Garda Síochána. It was the fourth such competition in recent years. I was pleased with the outcome, which resulted in expressions of interest from 6,700 individuals. I have also received assurances from the Garda Commissioner that a further competition will be held later this year to maintain the strong pipeline of recruits An Garda Síochána is currently managing. It is important that we capture the 6,700 who expressed interest previously and those who express interest again subsequently this year and get them through the process quickly. Part of how we are seeking to achieve that is speeding up the vetting and interview processes. We are trying to get more gardaí recruited as quickly as possible. I was also very pleased that in March this year, more than 200 trainees started in Templemore. That was the first time more than 200 started since before Covid-19. It is a good indicator. Three more groups will enter this year in June, August, and November. Work is ongoing by An Garda Síochána and publicjobs.ie in progressing offers to candidates for the June intake. Also in March was the first attestation where approximately 150 gardaí were attested. I appreciate we need more attested and on the streets.
Sentiment score: 0.31
It is commendable that every Deputy in this House wants to see more gardaí in their constituency. I agree that there has been a noticeable increase in the visibility of gardaí in Dublin city in recent months. It has been commented upon. It has had a positive impact because individuals feel a greater sense of security and safety when they see members of An Garda Síochána in the vicinity. I am committed to ensuring increased visibility not just in Dublin but also in other cities and towns. I am aware of the issue in Cork. We need more gardaí on the streets in Cork. I assure the Deputy I will seek to achieve that. When it comes to determining where gardaí go after they have been attested in Templemore, it is an operational decision by the Commissioner. It would be inappropriate for me to start directing him as to where they go. Commissioners live in the real world. They know what the Irish public wants as expressed through their representatives. It is clear from the Deputy that he wants to see more gardaí on the streets in Cork.
Sentiment score: 0.20
On the lack of capacity, each year, there can be four or five intakes into Templemore. It can take more than 200, probably up to 225 or so per intake. If there are five intakes a year, we will hit 1,000 a year if we get the stream of individuals coming through. The Deputy is right that capacity is tight. At present, the problem is not capacity in Templemore. The number coming through can be accommodated and we need to increase it. If Templemore is not able to accommodate the number coming through, my Department is looking at other training locations. Templemore will always be the primary training location for An Garda Síochána. In the short term, it will probably be the only one but if extra capacity is required elsewhere, the Department and I are open to considering it.
Sentiment score: -0.03
I had a look at the statistics on the number of gardaí leaving the force. This year and last year, we are talking about between 1% and 2% leaving. Based on the calculations we have seen to the end of March, we are probably looking at somewhere in the region of 140 gardaí resigning from the force this year and with around 14,000 on the force. That is around 1%, which is extremely low. If one looks at the corresponding figures in the UK, we see that approximately 10% resign from the police force there. I do not want to lose any gardaí, especially when, as is currently the case, numbers are tight. We want to get numbers up to 15,000, so we cannot be in a position where gardaí are resigning. We need to ensure that we try to retain as many of them as possible. Unfortunately, and this is a compliment to An Garda Síochána, gardaí are highly employable individuals. People want to hire members of An Garda Síochána because they come with great discipline and training and are very employable in the private sector. That is why it is very important that I try to ensure the terms and conditions of offer within the public sector are as good and as attractive as possible. Resignations are not as big an issue as I thought previously, but it is something that we need to keep a close eye on. The United States, New Zealand and Canada have all reported an increase in resignations from their police forces that are in excess of the rates that have been seen in An Garda Síochána. We need to get the recruitment numbers up because we are always going to have people who decide they want to try a different career. At present, I am trying encourage people to leave other careers and join An Garda Síochána, so we must recognise that it may work the other way as well.
Sentiment score: 0.16
That is a valid point. There was some feedback from departure interviews as to why gardaí were leaving. My recollection is that 47% or 48% just got a better offer in the private sector. Regarding the Commissioner's figure of 18,000, we need to take into account that there are many civilians working within An Garda Síochána. They are not gardaí but they do work that was done by members of the force previously. We have approximately 3,500 civilians within the force at present and approximately 14,200 gardaí. Collectively, along with reserves numbering around 300, we will get up to 18,000. It is a demanding challenge to get more people to join. All I can do, and all Members can do, is try to encourage people to join. It is a very fulfilling and exiting job. It is different to most jobs that people get to do. We live in a society where many jobs are very sedentary in nature. Being a garda is an exciting, active job. I encourage people to consider it.
Sentiment score: 0.18
I am obviously very accountable to the House, as I should be. Any information that my Department can provide will be provided. I will look into the issue the Deputy raises about getting further information from An Garda Síochána. Sometimes that just takes a bit of time but I have no difficulty with being accountable in this House for what gardaí do. There is nothing we can do about retirements although we did manage to change the age from 60 to 62. Sometimes I grant extensions to 63 or 64. In fact, invariably if I am asked, I will extend a garda's term of service because we want to keep people in the force. I have the say that the explanations that are provided indicate to me that we should be keeping people within the force because of the expertise they have. Resignations are a different matter. We are always going to have resignations. In terms of the reasons for resignations, I will go back and have a look at some of the post-resignation or departure interviews but most of them, from my recollection, were standard reasons. As I said to Deputy Gannon, many of them were because gardaí got different offers in the private sector. Obviously, terms and conditions are important. What I cannot do, however, because I would be thrown out of Government if I did, is start agreeing separate terms with An Garda Síochána outside of the public service pay agreements that apply.
Sentiment score: -0.01
I thank the Deputy. If he will permit me, I will return briefly to something Deputies Carthy and Gannon raised. They talked about exit interviews from An Garda Síochána. What I should have mentioned in my answer was that exit interviews were done in 2024 and the main reason gardaí left was referred to as "family circumstances", namely, gardaí found it difficult to maintain their careers as Garda members while also managing family life. I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for his question about community safety partnerships. As a former member of a local authority, he will know JPCs were an invaluable way for elected representatives to get information from An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the new scheme of community safety partnerships is to ensure that continues, but that it is broadened with the presence of other statutory agencies. I hope to sign regulations providing for the rules and mechanisms for these community safety partnerships in the very near future. I do not want to give the Deputy a specific date. I am hoping to do it very soon, but it will be done in the very near future. I have also signed into law the order required for the purpose of establishing the steering group that will be necessary to evaluate these new community partnerships. They will be an invaluable addition. They will enable individuals who are local representatives of the community to talk to gardaí and agencies like the HSE, Tusla and Cuan in order to ensure there is a proper discussion of the important information that needs to be communicated in respect of a local community. As for the chair, the role is pivotal to the partnerships achieving their full potential. In advance of the commencement of the Act and in order to be well prepared, my Department has invited local authorities to select suitable chairs through an expression of interest process. I am committed to ensuring the local community safety partnerships are effective and robust from the outset. Over the course of preparing the necessary regulations to establish the partnerships, it became clear they would have to elect a chair from within their membership. I will set out more detail about that in due course, but it is an important part of the accountability of local government.
Sentiment score: 0.28
The Deputy makes a very valid point. The whole logic behind establishing the LCSPs was to ensure we broadened it out so that it was not just a member of An Garda Síochána who was having to answer questions related to the HSE or other statutory agencies. As any member of a local authority will know, when it comes to responding to issues that arise in our community, it is very seldom the case there is just one statutory entity of which we can say it has responsibility and it will deal with it. In the area of criminal justice, we know from the many examples we have all received that it can be the Garda in the first instance, but there may also be an issue in respect of housing, the HSE or Tusla. The whole purpose behind the new statutory scheme for local community safety partnerships is so it is broadened out to include them. I recognise the importance of elected representatives and we must ensure they remain central to the new partnerships. However, there is broader and different experience that will be included. When the regulations are signed by me, which will be done very shortly, I think the Deputy will be pleased with them. If he is not, I have no doubt I will hear from him.
Sentiment score: 0.34
I thank the Deputies. In fairness, the 2024 Act was just commenced last month. Under section 114 of that Act, there is an obligation on me to make regulations in respect of the establishment of local community safety partnerships. I assure Deputies that officials in my Department are finalising those regulations. I will use a term I used previously; I believe I will be able to sign them very shortly. I certainly believe they will be signed and in place before we next have questions to the Minister for Justice. I also think they will be very effective in seeking to achieve what is set out in the legislation, namely to have a broader representation within the partnerships so the issues affecting local communities, not just in respect of policing but also in community safety, can be dealt with in one forum within the local authority. I will ask Deputies to consider to the regulations when they see them in the near future. I am sure we will have an opportunity to discuss them again.
Sentiment score: 0.38