McEntee looks to beef up digital powers for tackling crime 

Justice Minister Helen McEntee is to seek Cabinet approval to draft new legislation strengthening An Garda Siochana’s digital powers to tackle crime.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee is to seek Cabinet approval to draft new legislation strengthening An Garda Siochana’s digital powers to tackle crime.

The General Scheme for the Criminal Justice (Protection, Preservation and Access to Data on Information Systems) Bill 2024 will ensure gardaí are given up-to-date and effective powers for gaining swift access to criminal evidence which is in digital form.

Traditional search and seize legislation was drafted to target physical spaces and objects but it pre-dates the technological evolution seen in recent years.

With many footprints now accessible only on private cloud infrastructures, this new Bill will give Gardai tools to access online evidence easily and efficiently while ensuring individuals’ privacy rights are respected, Ms McEntee will tell Cabinet. Gardaí will also be given powers to access information stored in the cloud.

Under the legislation, Gardai will be able to apply to the courts for preservation and production orders to be served on internet service providers which will oblige them to preserve and produce digital evidence held on their systems.

Meanwhile, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is to seek approval from his Cabinet colleagues for the transfer of nine additional sites to the Land Development Agency (LDA).

The nine sites are:

• Full Transfer of Land at Bluebell, Dublin City.
• Partial Transfer of Land at Carrickmines Little (Horse Racing Ireland)
• Full Transfer of Land at Bolton Street Car Park, Waterford
• Full Transfer of Land at Waterside Car Park, Waterford
• Partial Transfer of Land at Galway Harbour
• Full Transfer of Land at Rosbrien Road, Limerick
• Partial Transfer of Land at St. Otterans Hospital, Waterford
• Full Transfer of Land at Model Farm Road, Cork
• Full Transfer of Land at Sandyford (Central Bank of Ireland)

It is expected these sites could potentially see the development of between 2,800 and 3,330 homes. The sites are earmarked for more medium to longer-term delivery as published in the LDA report last year.

Meanwhile, it is understood the revised white paper which will set out the State’s plan to build, acquire and lease new buildings to accommodate international protection applicants is still “weeks away.” Coalition leaders have been given an early draft plan but sources said more work is needed on the long-term plan due to be brought to Cabinet by Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman. It is also understood Mr O’Gorman has yet to hold discussions with Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe on costings.