Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1178.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views in relation to recent reports of foreign state espionage in Ireland (details supplied); the measures her Department is taking to combat it; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35314/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that the Government affords the highest priority to the State’s security.

The remit of An Garda Síochána with regard to the provision of security services in the State, as set out in section 3A of the Garda Síochána Act, includes protecting the State from espionage.

The Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service lead out on this work.

An Garda Síochána work closely with the Defences Forces and other relevant bodies in the State in respect of any threats identified that may have adverse implications for the security of the State.

An Garda Síochána also work closely with their international counterparts in identifying and managing such threats.

The Deputy will appreciate that, for sound reasons, it is not the practice to comment on the detail of security matters..

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs. The 2024 allocation provides a budget of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase since 2020 and is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1179.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures her Department is taking to counter the far-right agitators identified by the Garda security and intelligence section (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35316/24]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1180.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures her Department is taking to reduce the threat level posed by violent political extremists, following advice (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35317/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1179 and 1180 together.

Ireland, like every other democratic state, is not immune from the threat of violent extremism.

Violent political extremism, including by violent far-right individuals and groups, is an area which An Garda Síochána monitors closely with a view to countering identified threats.

The level of threat is kept under constant review by An Garda Síochána in consultation with the Defence Forces. An Garda Síochána also use the powers available to them to investigate and make arrests where appropriate.

While the rights of people with regard to freedom of speech and the right to protest must be - and are - respected, people do not have the right to act in a way that causes others to fear for their safety or in a way that threatens public order. When people go beyond what is acceptable, and put others in danger, members of An Garda Síochána will protect all members of the public and uphold the law.

Although there are many benefits to the internet, there is no doubt that the online environment enables the spread of harmful content and also facilitates increased transnational collaboration among like-minded individuals and groups. The manifestation of on-line disinformation and incitement as violent action in the physical world is of particular concern to my Department and An Garda Síochána and part of the Garda response to such incidents is to investigate the role of relevant online activity.

There is a range of legislation which is relevant in dealing with the type of behaviour outlined, including the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and Public Order legislation. Under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, it is an offence to incite hatred against persons on account of certain identity characteristics. Additionally, the provisions of the new Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill, which is currently before the Houses, will criminalise the dissemination of exactly the kind of hate speech, offline and online, which often informs or encourages violent extremism.

Ireland is not unique in terms of dealing with issues of extremism. The Government and relevant state bodies also engage regularly with the EU and other partners on the evolving nature of extremism in various ideologies. My Department is fully engaged with EU partners through the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN). This is to develop our understanding of the evolution of the threat posed by extremist actors in order to take appropriate measures to counter such threats.

An Garda Síochána works closely with domestic bodies in respect of any threats identified that may have adverse implications for the security of the State, and with their international counterparts in identifying and managing threats.