Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021

What this bill does AI · 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 timeline What do these stages mean?

1. First Stage 26th Seanad

   27 Aug 2021
2. Second Stage 26th Seanad

   29 Sep 2021
3. Committee Stage 26th Seanad

   29 Sep 2021
4. Report Stage 26th Seanad

   7 Oct 2021
5. Fifth Stage 26th Seanad

   20 Oct 2021
6. Second Stage 33rd Dáil

   20 Oct 2021
7. Committee Stage 33rd Dáil

   4 Nov 2021
8. Report Stage 33rd Dáil

   8 Dec 2021
9. Fifth Stage 33rd Dáil

   8 Dec 2021
10. Enacted

    15 Dec 2021

Debates

• Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages 8 Dec 2021 ↗
• Committee Stage (Resumed) 1 Dec 2021 ↗
• Committee Stage 24 Nov 2021 ↗
• Second Stage 4 Nov 2021 ↗
• Report and Final Stages 20 Oct 2021 ↗
• Committee Stage 7 Oct 2021 ↗
• Order for Second Stage 29 Sep 2021 ↗

Related bills

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