Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1127. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the offences which are subject to a penalty on conviction of up to life imprisonment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11419/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The potential imposition of a sentence of imprisonment for life arises in respect of a wide range of offences, reflecting the potential gravity of the conduct and the consequences of those offences. It is important to emphasise that in practice, the vast majority of life sentences imposed are for the offence of murder, which is a mandatory sentence for any adults found guilty of that offence. As of 27 February 2025, all but 12 of the 378 people imprisoned for life in the State were serving that sentence for murder.

However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have set out the following illustrative categories where certain offences also carry a discretionary sentence of up to life imprisonment:

• Homicide offences – e.g. attempted murder, manslaughter and conspiracy to murder

• Sexual offences – e.g. rape, aggravated sexual assault, defilement of a child under 15

• Offences against the person – e.g. causing serious harm, false imprisonment, syringe attacks

• Drugs offences – e.g. supply, importation

• Firearms offences – e.g. possession with intent to endanger life

• Property offences – e.g. robbery, aggravated burglary, arson

• Human trafficking

• International criminal law offences – e.g. crimes against humanity, genocide, war.