People required to provide phones and passwords to gardaí under new powers

The new powers will also increase the detention period for the investigation of multiple offences

New measures in the bill include the single power of arrest for gardaí which will require a person to provide passwords to access electronic devices when carrying out a search warrant.

The Minister for Justice has published the General Scheme of a new bill to give An Garda Síochána more powers.

In line with a recommendation of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, the Bill will provide a "clear and transparent" statutory basis for the existing police powers of search, arrest, and detention, according to the government.