Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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183. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider expanding the scope of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17889/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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184. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has considered introducing a specific offence of coercive indoctrination or psychological subjugation, similar to France’s law criminalising mental manipulation by cults; if any assessment has been carried out of such a legislative approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17890/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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185. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if current legislation addresses cases where individuals are recruited into high control groups through manipulative tactics (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17891/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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186. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department will consider establishing a new criminal offence targeting organisations that use psychological coercion to recruit and control members, in order to fill the current legislative gap between domestic coercive control and broader forms of psychological abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17892/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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187. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider introducing legislation to allow the High Court to issue dissolution orders for organisations, including cults, found to be engaging in coercion, fraud, hate speech or psychological abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17893/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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188. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has examined the legal frameworks used in other jurisdictions, such as France, which permit the dissolution of cults involved in criminal activity; and if so, whether similar powers could be introduced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17894/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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189. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider amending the Criminal Justice Act 2006 to enable the courts to dissolve groups found to be operating illegally or engaging in systematic psychological manipulation of members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17895/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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190. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department will explore the introduction of legal prohibitions preventing individuals convicted of coercive or abusive practices from establishing or leading new organisations within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17896/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189 and 190 together.

The term ‘cult’ is not legally defined in Irish law.

Some of the types of criminal activity referred to by the Deputy could be addressed through a number of existing provisions in legislation.

For example, where a group is engaged in financial exploitation, the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 contains a number of potentially relevant offences such as making gain or causing loss by deception, and obtaining services by deception.

Similarly, a number of potentially relevant offences are set out in the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, including assault and harm-related offences, coercion, harassment, endangerment, false imprisonment, and abduction of a child.

The rationale for the introduction of the offence of coercive control in section 39 of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 was to take account of the reality that behaviours in a domestic setting that involve emotional abuse, humiliation and fear can be as harmful to victims as physical abuse, as they are an abuse of the unique trust associated with an intimate relationship.

I am not currently considering any legislative changes such as those suggested by the Deputy. If he has further information relating to activities such as those referred to in his questions by any group operating in Ireland, I would be happy to receive same, and would also encourage him to contact An Garda Síochána directly in the event that he is aware of activities which are addressed by existing criminal law.

Any proposed change to legislation in this area would require detailed consideration, including in relation to any constitutional issues which could arise given the very strong protections relating to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion in Article 44 of Bunreacht na hÉireann.