ICCL made a submission to the Oireachtas Justice Committee on the new Garda Powers Bill. While we welcome the initiative in codifying police powers, we have serious concerns about some new powers and the impact they will have on rights.
In particular we are concerned about the removal of the 24 hour limit on pre-trial detention, and the expanded powers of arrest. There is a new power to compel passwords which, in ICCL’s view, must be accompanied by a warrant. There is a new power of stop-and-search which must have more safeguards. Likewise there must be more safeguards on the lethal use of force.