Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005
Public bill · Government · Presented
The Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005 would update Ireland’s rules for helping other countries investigate and prosecute crime, and enable Irish authorities to seek similar help abroad. It would cover sharing bank information, intercepting communications, freezing and confiscating criminal assets, gathering evidence, transferring prisoners and witnesses, video-link testimony, returning stolen property and controlled deliveries, including cooperation with EU states, Iceland, Norway and the United States. Requests could be refused where they threaten Ireland’s security, prejudice a case, breach human rights or involve torture, with court approval and protections for witnesses, privacy and legal privilege.
Formal long title
— (a) to enable effect to be given in the State to provisions of the following international instruments relating to mutual assistance in criminal matters: (i) the European Union Convention of 29 May 2000, the Protocol thereto of 16 October 2001 and the Agreement of 19 December 2003 between the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway on the application of certain provisions of the convention and protocol, (ii) Council Framework Decision 2003/577/JHA of 22 July 2003 concerning orders freezing property or evidence, (iii) the Second Additional Protocol of 8 November 2001 to the European Convention of 20 April 1959, (iv) the Treaty of 18 January 2001 between the United States of America and Ireland, as applied by the instrument contemplated by Article 3(2) of the Agreement of 25 June 2003 between the European Union and the United States of America and done at Dublin on 14 July 2005; (b) to give effect to Council Decision (2002/192/EC) of 28 February 2002 concerning Ireland's request to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen Acquis, in so far as those provisions relate to mutual assistance in criminal matters; (c) to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Part VII (International Co-operation) of the Criminal Justice Act 1994; and to provide for related matters
Last updated 6 March 2025
- Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Primary
- First StageSeanad
- Second StageSeanad
- Committee StageSeanad
- Report StageSeanad
- Fifth StageSeanad
- Second StageDáil
- Committee StageDáil
- Report StageDáil
- Fifth StageDáil Enacted
- EnactedEnacted
- Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008
- An tAcht um Cheartas Coiriúil (Cúnamh Frithpháirteach), 2008
- As passed by Dáil Éireann
- As amended in Committee/Select Committee [Dáil Éireann]
- As passed by Seanad Éireann
- As amended in Committee [Seanad Éireann]
- As Initiated
- Explanatory Memorandum
- Explanatory Memorandum