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Oireachtas to vote on renewal of security laws

The Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys (pictured) is to move resolutions in the Dáil and Seanad on the renewal of the State’s security laws.

The provisions of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 are subject to renewal by the Oireachtas. Without approval by 30 June this year, they would cease to apply.

Review of acts continues

The Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 was enacted in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing, and contains a number of anti-terrorism provisions. The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 provides for measures to tackle organised crime.

A group of six experts, headed by former Court of Appeal judge Mr Justice Michael Peart, is currently working on a review the Offences Against the State Acts, which date from 1939 to 1998.

Minister Humphreys said that an interim report from the group was expected “in the coming weeks”. A public consultation process on the review remains open until 9 July.