National security

roadmaster

A few months back it was discussed in the media that if someone from outside the state was appointed garda commissioner the government may have to remove national security role from the gardai and have them strictly used for normal policing duties. Since this has now happened with the new appointment could we see the creation of a civilian intelligence agency or could we see an expanded role for the defence forces ?

Sierra Oscar

Splitting off national security from An Garda Síochána is something which is being examined by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. However both the Taoiseach and the Chairperson of the Commission have expressed doubts about it in recent times so it seems the Gardaí could remain tasked with national security.

Both the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice specifically stated on number of occasions yesterday that the new Garda Commissioner will remain in charge of national security issues and have pointed out that he is an Irish citizen.

Creating a ‘bespoke’ CIA or MI6 for Ireland could cause complications

Major complications could arise if Ireland tries to create a “bespoke” security agency similar to the CIA or MI6, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned.

He said the Commission on Future Policing could examine whether Ireland should create such an agency, separating it out from the policing role of An Garda Síochána.

But he said in the Dáil “while it initially appears to be a great idea to have an agency similar to those in other countries, whether MI6, the CIA or similar agencies in smaller countries, when you think it through you see the complications that would arise”.

Ireland 'shouldn't go down US route of splitting security and policing'

THE HEAD OF the commission tasked with reviewing the future of policing in Ireland has said splitting security and policing systems of the gardaí might not be the answer to tackling threats of terrorism.