The Minister for Justice has said that “further work” is needed before she can bring proposals to Government on possible changes to the State’s emergency legislation.

Helen McEntee was speaking after the Oireachtas voted to renew for another year the provisions of two pieces of legislation aimed at combatting terrorism and organised crime.

The Dáil and Seanad have voted to renew the relevant provisions of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 until 29 June 2025.

Section 8 of the 2009 act provides that certain organised-crime offences should be tried in the non-jury Special Criminal Court (SCC) unless the Director of Public Prosecutions directs otherwise.

‘Detailed consultation’

A Government-appointed review group last year called for the abolition of the Offences Against the State Acts. Its report said that the SCC should be retained in a reformed manner, but on a permanent statutory footing, and without the need for annual renewal by the Dáil.

Minister McEntee said yesterday (27 June) that her officials had engaged in “detailed consultation” on the review group’s recommendations, but that further work was needed.

She also stated that, in considering any proposals for reform, her main priority was to ensure that the efforts of the gardaí in countering terrorism and organised crime, and protecting communities were not undermined.