Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023
Public bill · Government · Presented
Major changes to policing, oversight and community safety are proposed. An Garda Síochána would keep its name but get a new Board, a clearer management structure, and an explicit duty to prevent harm, especially to people who are vulnerable or at risk. A new Policing and Community Safety Authority would replace the current policing oversight bodies, while the Garda watchdog would be reorganised as a Police Ombudsman with stronger powers to deal with complaints and investigations. Community safety would be treated as a whole-of-government job, with a national strategy, a National Office for Community Safety, local partnerships, and a duty on public bodies to work together. The Bill also creates an Independent Examiner of Security Legislation to review security laws and some surveillance and data-retention oversight roles. Overall, it aims to make policing more accountable, improve public trust, and better protect both individual rights and community safety.
Formal long title
Bill entitled an Act to make further and better provision in relation to An Garda Síochána and, in particular, to strengthen the governance of An Garda Síochána and to provide for clear and effective oversight and accountability of An Garda Síochána; to provide that An Garda Síochána shall have a Board to be known as Bord an Gharda Síochána or, in the English language, the Board of An Garda Síochána and to provide for its functions; to provide for the independence of the Garda Commissioner in relation to the performance of his or her functions; to provide for the appointment of members of An Garda Síochána and members of garda staff; to improve the safety of, and the perception of safety in, communities through collaboration between relevant Departments of State and public service bodies at national and local level and to provide for community engagement in the prevention of crime and harm and for that purpose to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as An Grúpa Stiúrtha Náisiúnta um Shábháilteacht Pobail or, in the English language, the National Community Safety Steering Group and to provide for its functions; to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as An Oifig Náisiúnta um Shábháilteacht Pobail or, in the English language, the National Office for Community Safety and to provide for its functions; to provide for local community safety partnerships; to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as An tÚdarás Póilíneachta agus Sábháilteachta Pobail or, in the English language, the Policing and Community Safety Authority and to provide for its functions; to provide for the change of name of the body known as Coimisiún Ombudsman an Gharda Síochána or, in the English language, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, so that it shall be known as Oifig an Ombudsman Póilíneachta or, in the English language, the Office of the Police Ombudsman and to amend and extend its functions; to provide for the appointment of An tOmbudsman Póilíneachta and An Leas-Ombudsman Póilíneachta or, in the English language, the Police Ombudsman and Deputy Police Ombudsman respectively; to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as oifig an Scrúdaitheora Neamhspleách um Reachtaíocht Slándála or, in the English language, the office of Independent Examiner of Security Legislation and to provide for its functions; to provide for the appointment of a person to be An Scrúdaitheoir Neamhspleách um Reachtaíocht Slándála or, in the English language, the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation; to provide for the repeal of the Garda Síochána Act 2005; to amend certain enactments; and to provide for related matters.
Last updated 30 August 2024
- Minister for Justice Primary
- First StageDáil
- Second StageDáil
- Committee StageDáil
- Report StageDáil
- Fifth StageDáil
- Second StageSeanad
- Committee StageSeanad
- Report StageSeanad
- Fifth StageSeanad Enacted
- EnactedEnacted
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: From the Seanad Dáil
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages Seanad
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) Seanad
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) Seanad
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Committee Stage Seanad
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Second Stage Seanad
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages Dáil
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Financial Resolution Dáil
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) Dáil
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) Dáil
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Second Stage Dáil