Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021

What this bill doesAI · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001

• Creates offences for intentionally assisting unlawful entry, transit or presence in Ireland or EU/Protocol states; penalties up to ten years imprisonment on indictment.
• Replaces 'gain exception' with affirmative defence requiring accused to prove conduct was humanitarian assistance or support for asylum seekers by recognised organisations.
• Grants enforcement officers power to stop, board, search and detain ships suspected of people smuggling; courts may order forfeiture of vessels used in offences.

Stage timelineWhat do these stages mean?

1. First Stage26th Seanad

   27 Aug 2021
2. Second Stage26th Seanad

   29 Sep 2021
3. Committee Stage26th Seanad

   29 Sep 2021
4. Report Stage26th Seanad

   7 Oct 2021
5. Fifth Stage26th Seanad

   20 Oct 2021
6. Second Stage33rd Dáil

   20 Oct 2021
7. Committee Stage33rd Dáil

   4 Nov 2021
8. Report Stage33rd Dáil

   8 Dec 2021
9. Fifth Stage33rd Dáil

   8 Dec 2021
10. Enacted

    15 Dec 2021

Debates

• Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages8 Dec 2021↗
• Committee Stage (Resumed)1 Dec 2021↗
• Committee Stage24 Nov 2021↗
• Second Stage4 Nov 2021↗
• Report and Final Stages20 Oct 2021↗
• Committee Stage7 Oct 2021↗
• Order for Second Stage29 Sep 2021↗

Related bills

• Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025Fifth Stage
• Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026Cream List
• Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025Report Stage
• Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026Second Stage
• Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2025Cream List
• Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026Fifth Stage