Garda Síochána Act 2005
F3[Security services
3A. (1) In this Act "security services", subject to subsection (2), means the functions of the Garda Síochána referred to in section 7 that are concerned with—
(a) protecting the security of the State including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) preventing, detecting and investigating offences under the Offences against the State Acts 1939 to 1998, the Criminal Law Act 1976, the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 and the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010;
(ii) protecting the State from—
(I) espionage,
(II) sabotage,
(III) unlawful acts that subvert or undermine, or are intended to subvert or undermine, parliamentary democracy or the institutions of the State, and
(IV) acts of foreign interference that are, or are intended to be, detrimental to the interests of the State and are clandestine or deceptive or involve a threat to any person,
whether directed from, or committed or intended to be committed within, the State or not,
(b) identifying foreign capabilities, intentions or activities within or relating to the State that impact on the international well-being or economic well-being of the State, and
(c) co-operating with authorities in other states and international organisations aimed at preserving international peace, public order and security.
(2) The reference in subsection (1) to the functions of the Garda Síochána referred to in section 7 that are concerned with protecting the security of the State does not include lawful advocacy, protest or dissent by any person.
(3) Where a question or dispute arises as to whether a particular matter relates to policing services or security services, the question or dispute shall be submitted to the Minister for determination.
(4) The determination by the Minister of the question or dispute referred to him or her under subsection (3) shall be final.]
Annotations
Amendments:
F3
Inserted (23.12.2015) by Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 (49/2015), s. 4, S.I. No. 612 of 2015.
Editorial Notes:
E10
The section heading is taken from the amending section in the absence of one included in the amendment.