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Enacted

Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026

A wide-ranging justice and public safety package, this measure would change several criminal and civil law rules at once. It would let prison officers use incapacitant spray in approved circumstances, allow Gardaí to arrest some extradition cases without a warrant, broaden community service orders, tighten handling of counselling records in sexual offence cases, update DNA rules for missing-person cases, create new offences for offering housing in return for sex, and put outdoor seating for pubs on a permanent footing. It also makes a series of smaller changes to court administration, citizenship proof, bail, anti-social behaviour orders, and other justice procedures.
Enacted

Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2026

The proposal would let a court restrict or remove a parent’s or guardian’s rights over a child where that guardian has been convicted of killing, or seriously assaulting, another guardian, or of another very serious offence that has harmed the child’s welfare. It also sets out how the Child and Family Agency can apply, how courts should review or delay orders until safe care is in place, and how children can be represented in those cases. The aim is to protect children while making the child’s best interests the main factor in every decision.
Enacted

Domestic Violence Judgments Register Bill 2026

Creates a public online register of court judgments for certain serious domestic violence convictions, so people can check whether someone has such a history. A court would decide whether a judgment goes on the register, and the victim’s consent would be needed; the convicted person could later ask for removal after a set period, depending on whether they went to prison. It also changes related laws so those publication rules do not block the register, and it is expected to cost nothing extra because it will use the Courts Service’s existing online system.
Current

Railway Safety Bill 2026

The Railway Safety Bill 2026 would put the Railway Accident Investigation Unit on a permanent legal footing and allow it to investigate accidents and incidents across all types of railway, including Luas, metro and heritage railways. It would also strengthen rules for safety-critical railway workers by lowering alcohol limits, introducing drug testing and updating Garda powers and procedures, while making related changes to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety’s records.
Enacted

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2025

The measure would let Gardaí use biometric analysis on recordings, images and similar material to help identify people, but only in limited cases such as serious offences, missing persons cases, or protecting State security. It would also require detailed rules on how the technology is used, including checks on privacy and human-rights impacts, consultation with oversight bodies, approval by the Oireachtas, and annual reporting by a High Court judge. That matters because it gives Gardaí a new investigative tool while trying to put strong controls around a powerful and sensitive technology.
Enacted

Criminal Justice (International Cooperation on Electronic Evidence and Other Matters) Bill 2026

Creates a new Office of the Director of Criminal Justice International Cooperation to handle cooperation with other countries and EU states on getting electronic evidence for criminal cases. It would require online service providers to have a designated contact point or legal representative in place, give the new office power to monitor compliance, inspect records and impose financial penalties for failures, and take over the role of checking some terrorist-content removal orders. It matters because it is meant to speed up access to digital evidence across borders while giving Ireland a system to enforce these rules.
Dáil

International protection and murder investigation

Deputy Nolan linked the killing of Jamey Carney to wider violence against women and asked that international protection rules never hinder Garda action. The Tánaiste expressed sympathy and said Gardaí would pursue justice, with the investigation already under way.
Dáil

Michael Shine scoping exercise

Deputy Butterly welcomed the scoping exercise on allegations against Michael Shine and praised the courage of survivors. The Minister for Health thanked the victims, survivors and Dignity4Patients and said they were partners in the process.
Dáil

Court system backlog

Deputy Gannon pressed the Tánaiste on chaos in the criminal justice system, adjourned cases and court backlogs, criticising the justice reforms. The Tánaiste defended the Minister, but the exchange became heated over language used about the Minister and whether the changes were evidence-based.
Dáil

Criminal legal aid reforms

Deputy Whitmore argued that recent legal aid reforms were ill-considered and were causing court delays and refusals by solicitors to do free legal aid work. The Tánaiste defended the changes, saying fees were being increased and reform was necessary, while both sides sparred over evidence and political criticism.
Dáil

Alleged fraud in online safety company

Deputy Lawless outlined allegations of fraud, unpaid wages and falsified contracts involving an Irish child-safety company. The Tánaiste declined to comment further because of the apparent Garda investigation.
Dáil

Domestic abuse refuge in Portlaoise

Deputy Stanley urged urgent capital funding to open an eight-unit refuge, citing escalating domestic abuse and multiple women killed. The Tánaiste backed the need for action and said domestic, sexual and gender-based violence must have full attention.
Dáil

E-scooter injuries in children

Deputies raised the alarming rise in child injuries and traumatic brain injuries linked to e-scooters, and the Tánaiste agreed urgent action was needed. The discussion moved from possible bans to calls for workable regulation and parental responsibility.
Dáil

Drogheda abuse scoping report

Ged Nash welcomed the Michael Shine scoping report and said it was vital for truth, accountability and a statutory inquiry. The Tánaiste backed the report, agreed to both funding requests for Dignity4Patients, and praised the group’s work in supporting survivors.
Dáil

EU Presidency

During Ireland’s EU Presidency, the Minister said security is led by An Garda Síochána with Defence Forces support on request, backed by a joint task force and existing co-operation with the UK, France and EU partners. She pointed to growing focus on maritime, cyber and critical infrastructure threats, with radar and sonar capabilities being developed, including a radar picture by 2028.
Dáil

Defence Forces

Deputy Coppinger challenged secretive Defence Forces handling of abuse allegations and victims’ rights, while Minister McEntee said she is seeking legislative change, greater oversight, and improved complaints mechanisms but cannot yet extend the 2017 Act.
Dáil

Tribunals of Inquiry

Concerns were raised that Women of Honour giving evidence to the Defence Forces tribunal lack adequate trauma-informed support, and the Minister committed to urgent re-engagement with the HSE to strengthen tailored counselling and access.
Seanad

Bessborough site

Senator Harmon urged action on Bessborough in Cork, including possible negotiation, compulsory purchase, publication of burial records and an inquest. Senators Higgins and O'Reilly voiced support.
Dáil

Education Policy

Updated SPHE curriculum now covers consent, healthy relationships and abuse at junior and senior cycle, with phased rollout to 2027 and extensive teacher training, while calls were made to move the content earlier and strengthen student engagement.
Joint Committee on Children and Equality

Child Protection Matters, Special Care and Special Emergency Care Arrangements: Tusla

Tusla outlined rising demand for child protection services, with almost 6,000 children in care, increasing referrals, and a sharp rise in separated children seeking international protection. It said special emergency arrangements have now been phased out in favour of regulated emergency placements with HIQA oversight, and admitted it cannot yet fully meet its statutory duty on special care because of staffing shortages. Members pressed Tusla on residential placement capacity, use of private providers, security staff in homes, aftercare, and the lack of capital investment in the community and voluntary sector. Tusla said recruitment, training and reform are under way, with a focus on expanding foster care, therapeutic supports and staff numbers.
Enacted

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025

Tightens Ireland’s terrorism laws so they fully match an EU rulebook on combating terrorism. It adds offences for receiving terror training, travelling for terrorism, and helping others travel for terrorism, and it also broadens rules on public incitement and certain cyber-related offences when they are connected to terrorism. It sets penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment on conviction and makes attacks on children an aggravating factor in some terrorism-related sentencing.
Current

Adult Safeguarding Strategy Bill 2026

Requires the Minister for Health to draw up a new adult safeguarding strategy within six months of the Act starting, and to renew it every three years. The strategy must set goals and actions to protect adults at risk, cover services such as care homes, hospitals, mental health services, home care, day services, Garda work involving vulnerable people, and similar settings, and may include oversight bodies, advice and advocacy, and court powers to limit harmful contact. Public bodies would have to act in line with the strategy, and the Minister would have to report each year on what has been done, what has not yet been achieved, and why. It matters because it would put adult protection on a regular, public footing and force follow-up, not just planning.
Current

Civil Liability (Child Sexual Abuse Proceedings Against Unincorporated Bodies of Persons) Bill 2025

The bill would make it easier to take civil claims for child sexual abuse against unincorporated groups such as religious orders, clubs or societies, by allowing them to be sued in their own name rather than having to identify individual members. It also lets a court use an associated trust’s assets to pay damages in some cases, and gives survivors an extra year after the law starts to bring claims that would otherwise be out of time. This matters because the current rules can make it very hard to sue these groups, even where they are effectively responsible.
Current

Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026

The Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026 would create a single, updated framework for Garda stop-and-search powers, premises searches and access to data on phones, computers and other electronic systems. It would require clearer reasons and records for searches, court approval for accessing seized devices, protections for legally privileged material, and new urgent-search procedures. People in Garda custody would generally have the right to consult a solicitor before questioning and have one present, while serious-offence interviews would be electronically recorded. The measures aim to make investigations more effective while strengthening safeguards and accountability.
Enacted

International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026

Permits evidence to be taken in Ireland for the Omagh Bombing Inquiry in the UK from current and former Garda members, Defence Forces members, certain civil servants, and former ministers, where they have relevant information and agree to take part if required. It sets up a process where a High Court judge hears the evidence, with the Inquiry able to ask follow-up questions, while protecting witnesses and allowing refusals where security, investigations, or official functions would be affected. It matters because it gives the Irish State a clearer legal way to help the inquiry investigate whether the 1998 Omagh bombing could have been prevented.
Seanad

Responses to raised issues

Senator O'Reilly replied to earlier speakers on acquired brain injury, delays in energy support and other matters, agreeing that services and responses need improvement. The Chair corrected him for skipping Senator Scahill, who had raised the fraud issue.
Seanad

Surrogacy and child welfare

Senator O'Reilly warned that further surrogacy legislation is being advanced without enough regard for children's long-term welfare, and argued commercial surrogacy commodifies children and exploits women. Senator Keogan interjected briefly in support.
Seanad

Warmer homes scheme delay

Senator Byrne described a constituent's long wait for a SEAI warmer homes scheme inspection and support for home energy upgrades.