Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to present this Bill to the committee. It will amend the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 to allow for a broader category or prosecutable offences in respect of terrorist activity. These include terrorist acts with a cross-border element and cyberattacks where the aim is to cause widespread harm. The legislation aims to give full effect to the 2017 EU directive on combating terrorism and provide for those provisions not already covered in our national counterterrorism laws. On this point, I advise the committee I may bring forward amendments on Report Stage. There are a number of anti-terrorism provisions contained in the directive and I am seeking further legal clarification of whether existing national laws fully satisfy their requirements. This includes potential technical amendments and a potential amendment regarding corporate liability where such a corporate is engaged in terrorism. Where gaps in our national laws are confirmed amendments to cover these areas will be proposed for consideration on Report Stage.