This Bill is an important part of the Government’s policing reform plan - A Policing Service for Our Future (APSFF) - developed to implement the recommendations of the 2018 Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) and fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future. It provides a new framework for policing and community safety aimed at improving the performance and accountability of our police service to the benefit of the safety of communities, and new national security arrangements. When enacted it will repeal the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in its entirety (the “Act of 2005”).

Includes, in part 8 - (p.216) 252. Regulations relating to establishment, maintenance and operation of regime of testing for controlled drugs and psychoactive substances.

This section provides for the making of regulations by the Minister to provide for the establishment, maintenance and operation of a regime for the testing for controlled drugs and psychoactive substances in relation to An Garda Síochána. Prior consultation is required with the Garda Commissioner and the Policing and Community Safety Authority. It restates elements of section 122 of the Act of 2005 (as amended by Part 4 of the Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Act 2022) in so far as they relate to such testing.

Note: The text of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2022 was approved by Government on 22 November 2022, subject to any final drafting or textual changes to be agreed between the Minister and the Attorney General. The text is being reviewed to identify any such changes that may be necessary. The Bill will be presented to a House of the Oireachtas, and published, in December.