Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Government attaches the highest priority to the security of the State and the people. Ireland, like other open and democratic states, does not consider itself immune from the threat posed by terrorism and extremism.

Taking action to counter the threat is a priority for the Government. An Garda Síochána continues to put in place a robust framework of measures, both tactical and intelligence-based, to prevent and respond to such threats.

It is critical that An Garda Síochána continues to take all necessary measures proportionate to the threat and has a robust legislative framework to enable them to respond effectively.

The Offences Against the State Acts are Ireland’s primary counter-terrorism legislation. This legislation sets out a range of substantive offences relating to the security of the State, and the powers of search, arrest and detention relating to those offences. These Acts have been cast primarily to address the domestic security threat but their provisions have a wider application.

The Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Acts 2005-2015 were enacted to have particular application to international terrorism and give effect to a number of international legal measures to combat terrorist activities.

These laws are supported directly by a range of provisions in the general criminal law aimed at supporting An Garda Síochána to combat serious crimes.

In addition, the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill is currently making its way through the Oireachtas. Once enacted, the Bill will update laws criminalising hate speech and legislate against hate crimes for the first time in Irish law thereby enabling further sanctions against individuals who foment hatred.

In respect of online content, An Garda Síochána can coordinate where necessary with Europol and online service providers to request the removal of terrorist or extremist material. The EU Regulation on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online provides for the removal of illegal content and a legal framework to ensure that hosting service providers address the misuse of their services for the dissemination of such content. Online platforms are obliged to remove terrorist content within one hour upon receiving a removal order from Member States’ authorities, and to take measures when their platforms are adjudged to be exposed to terrorist content. An Garda Síochána acts as the competent authority in respect of issuing removal orders under the Regulation and Coimisiún na Meán will, in due course, be designated as the oversight authority in respect of online service providers.

This work is complemented by longer-term measures aimed at avoiding the social exclusion and isolation that often lead to radicalisation and violent extremism.

The need to take a proactive approach to preventing extremism forms the basis of a strong model of community policing engagement. Strategies employed by An Garda Síochána place a key focus on community engagement with considerable resources and emphasis placed on programmes to engage with young and vulnerable members of society.

In terms of offenders believed to be at risk of radicalisation and violent extremism, the Action Plan for the Joint Management of Offenders commits to a multi-agency approach. An agreement was recently signed between An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, and the Probation Service which provides for collaboration and cohesive communication between the parties on these matters, especially regarding prisoners due for release.

At EU level, approximately 25-30 Irish experts and practitioners regularly attend Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) working groups and meetings to participate in training and learn how to better counter violent extremism. These include representatives of my Department, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, other Government Departments and representatives from civil society.