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Security laws renewed for another year

The Dáil and Seanad have voted to renew the State’s security laws for another year.

Members of the Government parties backed the measures, while Sinn Féin abstained in the votes on both pieces of legislation. People Before Profit and some independents voted against.

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 – including the trial of certain offences in the Special Criminal Court.

Expert group

The provisions of both are subject to renewal by the Oireachtas. Without approval by 30 June this year, they would have ceased to apply.

An independent expert review of the Offences Against the State Acts is currently taking place, and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee (pictured) said that a final report from the group was expected in the autumn.

During the Oireachtas debates the minister argued that the continuation of the provisions was necessary, as a threat from dissident paramilitaries remained.