Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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455. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to bring forward legislation in response to the Independent Review Group reports into the Offences Against the State Acts; the timeframe in which he intends to act in response to these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4681/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The majority and minority reports of the Independent Review Group, appointed to examine all aspects of the Offences Against the State Acts, were considered by Government and published in 2023.

The Offences Against the State Acts are Ireland's primary counter-terrorism legislation. They have served, and continue to serve, the State well and fulfil a vital role in our criminal justice system. Given the importance of the Acts over many decades, any proposals for reform must be thoroughly considered and approached with the utmost care. This is to ensure we do not do anything to undermine the efforts of the authorities with responsibility for countering terrorism and organised crime and protecting communities.

My Department has engaged in detailed consultation on the recommendations of the Review Group with a number of bodies including the Garda Commissioner, the Office of the DPP and the Courts Service. The outputs from this consultation and analysis will inform the preparation of a substantive response to the Review which I will bring to Government for consideration in due course.