Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026

Plain-English summary AI · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001

• Updates Gardaí powers to stop and search people and vehicles in specific situations, and to search premises.
• Strengthens custody protections: access to lawyers, right to inform others of arrest, and consular contact rights.
• Amends three criminal justice laws (1976, 1997, 2007) to align with EU lawyer access directive requirements.

Stage timeline

1. First Stage 27th Seanad

   14 Jan 2026
2. Second Stage 27th Seanad

   14 Jan 2026
3. Committee Stage 27th Seanad

   14 May 2026