The Department of Justice works to advance community and national security, promote justice and equality, and safeguard human rights, to achieve our vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland. The Department’s remit covers activities as diverse as the security of the State, the protection of life and property, the prevention and detection of crime, overseeing services for the buying and selling of property, managing inward migration to the State, providing a Courts Service, various other regulatory services and updating our criminal and civil laws. These are crucial to sustaining a democratic society and must be exercised in a manner reflecting the commitment to human rights and equality set out in the Irish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. The Department plays a key role internationally, particularly in the context of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council. There is also significant involvement with other international bodies such as the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation. A range of other responsibilities are also exercised on behalf of the Minister by agencies operating on either a statutory or an administrative basis