High-security intelligence hub to be built at Garda HQ under long-delayed national upgrade
The project marks a significant investment in Ireland's security infrastructure and capabilities but comes nearly seven years after the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) urged such investment and prioritisation.
The facility is expected to take five years to build and fit out, and will provide high levels of physical and cyber security.
The Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS), currently located within the existing Garda HQ complex in Phoenix Park, will move into the new building.
It is understood that the service could be expanded as part of the development, though details remain unclear.
The GNCSIS is both a security and organised crime intelligence service. It also has a large operational arm, including firearms operations and anti-terrorism investigations.
The new facility is being built under the renewed National Development Plan, published this week.
The building will be located on the existing Garda HQ site and will comprise a multi-storey, bespoke facility built to high standards of physical and cyber security.
The facility is seen as a key element in strengthening the GNCSIS, which serves as Ireland's internal security service.
The CoFPI report, published in September 2018, stated that the Garda's security and intelligence capability 'must be strengthened.'
It called for a 'ring-fenced budget' and the ability to 'recruit specialist expertise — analytical, technological, and legal — directly and quickly.'
It said this was a 'matter of urgency,' as international terrorism and organised crime are constantly evolving, and it assessed the risks to the State as 'serious.'
Those particular recommendations have yet to be implemented but are expected to be examined as part of the review of 'national security structures' promised under the Programme for Government.
It is believed that this internal review — currently being carried out by the National Security Committee, which includes senior civil servants and top Garda, Defence Forces, and cyber officials — is ongoing.
The investment in Garda security structures comes just days after a judge overseeing the use of phone-tapping powers urged that the role and powers of military intelligence in State security be clarified in legislation.
Mr Justice Tony O'Connor said the Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) moved into a 'new bespoke secure facility' last March.
'The new facility is a welcome development and affords a modern and professional aspect,' he said. 'The new building is purpose-built to top secret clearances and security specifications.'
While An Garda Síochána is responsible for internal security, including State security, the Defence Forces are also tasked with State protection, particularly against external threats.
CoFPI recommended the creation of a national security analysis and coordination body under the Department of the Taoiseach. One of its primary tasks would be clarifying the roles of Garda and military intelligence and ensuring 'no overlap' between them.
This clarity has not yet been achieved, despite the wishes of Garda and military intelligence.
The National Security Analysis Centre (NSAC), set up under the Department of the Taoiseach, never established a coordination function for intelligence agencies. The ongoing national security review is expected to examine this issue.
NSAC also failed to produce a National Security Strategy, which was initially expected in 2021 and meant to cover the 2020–2025 period.
NSAC was quietly dissolved as a standalone body earlier this year and now operates as a secretariat within the department.
It is expected to finally publish Ireland's first National Security Strategy later this year.
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Extra.ie
5 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Plan to cut VAT on hospitality sparks ferocious row between ministers
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I am fully committed to its delivery as it is core and central to sustaining the 228,000 jobs in that sector, many of which are in regional locations. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos 'The tourism sector is a €9billion industry and one which I am focused on supporting particularly with our new tourism strategy which will be published in September.' But one Fianna Fáil minister said of the proposal: 'Fine Gael once again appear to be forgetting they are the junior partners. They do not decide tax policy and they certainly are not going to be allowed to create a scenario where the public will be furious over a measure that will only benefit a few coffee shops.' Tánaiste Simon Harris, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Sean Canney, Independent TD for Galway East, speaking at a press conference for the launch of the Government's Summer Economic Statement and the National Development Plan for the next five years. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire Responding to Fine Gael plans to front-load the cuts during Micheál Martin's term as Taoiseach, one Fianna Fáil senior figure warned: '(FG leader) Simon Harris may want to be the new Bertie Ahern but he won't do it at our expense.' In a further indication of the new levels of tension surrounding expenditure, a number of legal challenges are being prepared by representative groups in the education sector should the Coalition fail to adequately fund schools. One education sector source said: 'There is trouble and underspending across the board, from primary education to third level. Serious trouble is coming down the tracks if ministers don't perform. 'We don't do press releases or complaints on the Order of Business. We are going to hold the Government to account over their legal responsibilities and we are prepared to take the legal route to defend the fiscal integrity of schools and the State's legal obligations to deliver appropriate facilities for children.' Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/ The proposed challenges will increase concerns within the Government that it faces a destabilising summer of internal discontent over fears that Ireland faces its first austerity budget in a decade. One senior Government source said: 'Paschal [Donohoe] and Jack [Chambers] are engaged in a great act in expectation management. There is a great tidying-up process: all the cycle lanes, all that green stuff, we are not wasting that money.' Another senior Government figure added: 'The budget will be factually expansionary, look at the figures. We are, however, laying down the marker in the Summer Economic Statement to stop runaway stories.' However, Cian O'Callaghan, Social Democrats acting leader and finance spokesman said: 'It is clear that after the big giveaway pre-election budgets, citizens are facing difficult times. Cian O'Callaghan, Social Democrats acting leader and finance spokesman. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos 'The Government can spin all they want about returning to normality. The truth though is that people experiencing the frontline of the cost-of-living crisis are and will experience the very real return of austerity budgeting.' Despite attempts by Government ministers to calm their TDs, unease remains high within the Government ranks. One Government source said: 'There are billions of one-off payments facing the axe and it is not going to be pretty. 'Look at James Lawless, he let the cat out of the bag too early on third level registration charges and he hasn't been seen since, he has disappeared.' However, a Fine Gael minister said: 'There's no great plot against Fianna Fáil, it is simple logic. When it comes to cutting, do you want to be unpopular now or would you prefer to be unpopular in five years' time. Our friends need to calm down.' Minister of State James Lawless. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/ The pre-budget negotiations could be a chance for Mr Chambers to put himself in position for a future leadership bid. A FF source said: 'There may be a bit of leadership-building going on with Jack [Chambers] as well. At some stage Micheál has to go and let's face it, at 64 he is nearer the end than the beginning.' Another Fine Gael source noted of 34-year-old Mr Chambers: 'He hasn't made too many friends in Fine Gael going around the place being led by the nose by his officials. Even the Tánaiste had to battle for Defence spending.' Unease is also growing within Fianna Fáil with sources speculating that succession factors may be at play when it comes to the vigour with which Mr Chambers is going about his task. The source added: 'There is a bit of an invisible leadership competition building up between Jack and Jim O'Callaghan. Big Jim is going very well at the moment so Jack may be trying to out-do him by generating a reputation as a great reformer of the public finances.'
Irish Independent
9 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Wicklow Gaelscoil faces loss of teacher because it is ‘only one pupil short of the threshold'
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RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
First kite of pre-budget season flew over Leinster House
Bird watchers sometimes herald the sighting of the first swallow of the year as the start of spring. And, not to be outdone, political anoraks have a similar phrase too. The first kite of the pre-budget season flew high and mighty over a quieter than usual Leinster House this week, as the beginning of the Dáil's summer recess was interrupted by a potentially serious political row gliding into view. Not for the first time, it involved a once cast-iron pre-election promise whose carefully choreographed landing now risks becoming a victim of some not exactly unexpected post-election economic turbulence. And, not for the last time, the planned flight trajectory could yet be replaced by an all too public nose dive as the Coalition checks its political radar for signs of how to navigate its way between two competing financial priorities. Hospitality tax cut The reason for the situation is a Programme for Government promise which is now at real risk of being delayed. In the January document, which outlines what Government intends to do in power, the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael-Independents Coalition confirmed that the existing 13.5% hospitality VAT rate would be reduced. That commitment, which was one of Fine Gael's key commitments in last November's General Election, was widely seen as indicating but did not explicitly point to this October's Budget as the moment the 13.5% rate would be cut to 9%. Such a move would support struggling restaurants, bars, cafes, pubs and hotels, and therefore help protect jobs. "Our Budget decisions could change depending on the economic environment we find ourselves in." But its near €1 billion price tag would mean less financial space for cost of living supports for the wider pubic, an issue that was made crystal clear as Government outlined its immediate economic plans this week. During a press conference at Government Buildings on Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers announced the Coalition's National Development Plan and Summer Economic Statement. The former outlined a €275bn capital projects war chest for the coming decade, including aspirational promises and dazzling numbers like €36bn for housing, €22bn for transport infrastructure such as the long-delayed Dublin Metro, and almost €10bn for health. But the latter was more pragmatic, detailing in practical terms how much money Government actually has to play with in its coffers right now - and, specifically, space for €1.5bn worth of tax cuts in Budget 2026. The figure may seem like a lot, and it is, but it still does not pay for everything voters want. And, inevitably, that means difficult choices for the coalition to make, including when it comes to promises previously given. Despite both Mr Martin and Mr Harris saying in recent months that the cut will happen, Mr Donohoe told reporters that the expected hospital VAT reduction from 13.5% to 9% was not as certain as previously indicated. Rarely one to misspeak, Minister Donohoe explained that if the hospitality VAT rate is reduced it is important "to be open" about the fact "trade offs" with other sections of society may be necessary. "I have always made clear my intention with regard to that [the hospitality VAT cut]," he said. His use of the word "intention" rather than anything stronger peaked the interest of attending reporters. "But I have also said there are trade offs, and there are consequences to that," he said. "And there are therefore other things that we are not going to be able to do. "If you were to bring forward a tax package that was to fund a full year measure that was in relation to the VAT, the cost of that would be nearly a €1bn." "And then if I was to add to that other measures we've done in the past, we would have a tax package that is far bigger than what I believe would be safe," he said. He added: "Our Budget decisions could change depending on the economic environment we find ourselves in." A pre-budget kite, in other words. And one that has caused if not a split, then certainly some friction, within the Coalition as competing political priorities have emerged. Internal Coalition friction While Minister Donohoe's comments were likely designed to point out the reality of the dilemma for Government rather than specifically rule out the hospitality tax cuts this year, they did open the door to the prospect within at least some sections of the coalition. By Wednesday, several Government sources had indicated privately that the cut should be delayed until July 2026, with Fianna Fáil members - including the wily long-time Limerick City TD Willie O'Dea - among those to publicly nudge forward the argument. Speaking on Friday on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Deputy O'Dea said given the limited scope for tax reductions in the upcoming budget, he would "like to see it [the €1.5bn in available tax cuts] more equitably divided", with "an increase in tax credits and tax bands in line with inflation" his priority. Asked if this is because it would be difficult to convince voters to support helping the hospitality sector first, given a disputed reputation for price gouging by some businesses in that sector, Deputy O'Dea said: "It's not just a question of would it be hard to sell to the public, it's would it be good for the economy." Responding to suggestions of friction in the Coalition over the situation, he added: "I wouldn't describe it as friction, people have different views and that's what Coalition government is about." "I don't understand what kind of kites the Government are flying in relation to this cut for the hospitality industry, the Government are sewing massive seeds of confusion on this yet again." Deputy O'Dea's view was echoed privately by numerous Fianna Fáil TDs, and a smaller number of Fine Gael colleagues, who questioned how prioritising help for businesses instead of cost of living supports for the wider public might play out. And senior Government sources did little to kill off the suggestion when asked. But Fine Gael TD and Minister for Enterprise and Tourism Peter Burke - the politician responsible for the sector - had a different view during a hastily organised press briefing at Government Buildings on Thursday. Asked if he would acknowledge the hospitality VAT tax rate cut will now be delayed until next summer, Minister Burke responded: "Absolutely not acknowledging that, any negotiations will form part of the budget. "We're now still in July and it's very important to note the Budget will consider all options in every different sector." Opposition criticism The opposition, it is fair to say, were less than impressed over the apparent confusion over whether the hospitality tax cut would still go ahead on 1 January or be delayed until at least next July. Labour TD Duncan Smith said bluntly: "I don't understand what kind of kites the Government are flying in relation to this cut for the hospitality industry, the Government are sewing massive seeds of confusion on this yet again." That view was shared by other opposition TDs, including Sinn Féin's Donnchadh O'Laoghaire who said the Coalition needs to find a way to help both the hospitality sector and the wider public through cost of living supports. And it was echoed too by non-political groups representing those in the sector, which became locked in a war of words over what should happen next. Responding to the watering down of the previous tax cut promise, Restaurants Association of Ireland Chief Executive Adrian Cummins said: "If the VAT rate doesn't reduce to 9% from January 1, you'll see more and more closures" and resulting job losses, noting more than 200 restaurants have already closed this year. However, the view was countered by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary Owen Reidy. "The proposal to cut the VAT rate at a time of huge economic uncertainty flies in the face of all available evidence, and would amount to nothing less than economic vandalism," he said. "The Government has identified many laudable priorities as part of its programme for Government: housing, reductions in child poverty, and investment in disability services. "Given that ministers have been giving serious warnings about economic uncertainty, why would they prioritise a corporate handout costing almost €1bn?" Government dilemma That latter point goes to the heart of the difficulty now facing Government, and in part helps to explain the early nature of this week's at times contradictory pre-budget kite flying. While there is a strong argument for the need to protect businesses, and therefore jobs, in the hospitality sector during a period of intense global financial uncertainty, few politicians would want to be seen to be doing so at the expense of supports for households during that same economic turbulence. In that context a calculated delay to the hospitality VAT rate cut plans makes some sense, as it would allow Government to continue to argue it will - eventually - keep its promise while giving itself more short-term financial space to protect the wider public. That plan, however, comes with a significant catch, in that the hospitality sector is insistent a delay to the tax cut will see people lose their jobs. But, more than one Government TD has privately noted this week, not delaying the tax cut in order to have more space for wider public cost of living supports would put households at risk and give opposition parties an obvious line of attack the coalition could do without. The first kite of the pre-budget season has now soared into view. Depending on which way the economic and public wind blows, it could yet lead to an unexpectedly bumpy political ride.
