Department of Justice (Ireland)

Irish government department

Department of Justice

Headquarters on St Stephen's Green, Dublin
Department overview
Formed| 22 January 1919
Jurisdiction| Government of Ireland
Headquarters| 51 St Stephen's Green, Dublin
53°20′14″N 6°15′41″W﻿ / ﻿53.33722°N 6.26139°W﻿ / 53.33722; -6.26139
Annual budget| €3.27 billion (2023-2024)[1]
Minister responsible|

* Helen McEntee,
Minister for Justice

Department executive|

* Oonagh McPhillips,
Secretary General

Child agencies|

* Irish Prison Service
* Criminal Assets Bureau
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* Garda Síochána

Website| Official website

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The Department of Justice (Irish: An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt) is a department of the Government of Ireland. It is led by the Minister for Justice. The department's mission is to maintain and enhance community security and to promote a fairer society in Ireland.

## Departmental team

[edit]

* Minister for Justice: Helen McEntee, TD
* Minister of State for Law Reform and Youth Justice: James Browne, TD[2][3][4]
* Secretary General of the Department: Oonagh McPhillips[5]

## Overview

[edit]

The mission of the Department of Justice is to maintain and enhance community security through the development of a range of policies and high-quality services which underpin:

* The protection and assertion of human rights and fundamental freedoms consistent with the common good
* The security of the State
* An effective and balanced approach to tackling crime

In July 2014 the department embarked on a comprehensive programme of change, including the recruitment of a new secretary-general following an independent review.[6]

The official headquarters and ministerial offices of the department are on St Stephen's Green, Dublin.

## Responsibilities

[edit]

The department's main areas of responsibility include:

* Implementing government policy on crime and protecting the security of the State (National Security Committee).
* Providing policy advice in relation to the criminal justice system (Garda Síochána, the Courts, Prisons and Probation and Welfare services) and supporting the operation of this system.
* Continuing reform of criminal law and certain areas of civil law.
* Playing a central part in the implementation of core elements in the Good Friday Agreement.
* Co-operating in relevant EU and international matters and promoting the Republic of Ireland's interests within the associated areas of responsibility.
* Implementing the Government's asylum strategy and further developing national immigration policy.

## Executive agencies

[edit]

The department has executive agencies, which legally are integral parts of the department but which are managed separately:

* Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
* Forensic Science Ireland
* Probation Service
* Irish Prison Service

## Affiliated bodies

[edit]

Among the state agencies and other bodies affiliated to the department in some way are:

* Garda Síochána
* Courts Service
* Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
* Garda Síochána Inspectorate
* Legal Aid Board
* State Pathologist's Office
* National Disability Authority
* Office of the Data Protection Commissioner
* Irish Film Classification Office
* International Protection Office
* International Protection Appeals Tribunal
* Private Security Authority

No state-sponsored bodies report to the department.

## History

[edit]

In the revolutionary period, the office was known as the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, passed soon after the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, provided it with a statutory basis and renamed it as the Department of Justice. This act provided it with:[7]

> the administration and business generally of public services in connection with law, justice, public order and police, and all powers, duties and functions connected with the same (except such powers, duties and functions as are by law reserved to the Executive Council and such powers, duties and functions as are by the Constitution or by law excepted from the authority of the Executive Council or of an Executive Minister), and shall include in particular the business, powers, duties and functions of the branches and officers of the public service specified in the second part of the schedule to this Act, and of which Department the head shall be, and shall be styled, an t-Aire Dlí agus Cirt or (in English) the Minister for Justice.

The schedule assigned it with the following bodies:[8]

* All Courts of Justice and the Offices thereof save in so far as the same are reserved to the Executive Council or are excepted from the authority of the Executive Council or of an Executive Minister.
* Police.
* The General Prisons Board for Ireland and all Prisons.
* The Registrar of District Court Clerks.
* The Public Record Office.
* The Registry of Deeds.
* The Land Registry.
* The Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland.

### Alteration of name and transfer of functions

[edit]

The name and functions of the department have changed by means of statutory instruments.

Date  | Effect

|

2 June 1924  | Establishment of the Department of Justice[9]
1 January 1983  | Transfer of Adoption to the Department of Health[10]
3 February 1993  | Transfer of Civil law reform, civil legal aid and the family mediation service to the Department of Equality and Law Reform[11]
8 July 1997  | Transfer of Equality and Law Reform from the Department of Equality and Law Reform[12]
9 July 1997  | Renamed as the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform[13]
27 July 2001  | Transfer of Charities to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs[14]
1 June 2010  | Transfer of Equality, Integration, Disability and Human Rights to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs[15]
2 June 2010  | Renamed as the Department of Justice and Law Reform[16]
1 April 2011  | Transfer of Equality, Integration, Disability and Human Rights from the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs[17]
2 April 2011  | Renamed as the Department of Justice and Equality[18]
1 May 2011  | Transfer of Charities from the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs[19]
1 January 2013  | Transfer of Equality Tribunal to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation[20]
19 June 2013  | Transfer of Censorship of Publications to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht[21]
10 March 2015  | Transfer of Censorship of Publications from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht[22]
1 January 2016  | Transfer of Ordnance Survey Ireland from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment[23]
1 January 2016  | Transfer of the Valuation Office from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform[24]
26 July 2017  | Transfer of Charities to the Department of Rural and Community Development[25]
1 January 2018  | Transfer of Ordnance Survey Ireland to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government[26]
1 January 2018  | Transfer of Property Registration Authority to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government[27]
1 January 2018  | Transfer of Valuation Office to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government[28]
14 October 2020  | Transfer of Youth Justice from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs[29]
14 October 2020  | Transfer of Disability, Equality, Human Rights, Integration and Reception to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs[30]
1 November 2020  | Renamed as the Department of Justice[31]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ McEntee, Helen (10 October 2023). "Minister McEntee secures Justice Budget 2024 to build stronger, safer communities". Government of Ireland. Retrieved 24 February 2024. "The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee today welcomed the significant increase in Budget allocation of over €3.27 billion in current expenditure plus €274 million for capital projects for the Justice sector in 2024, with a particular focus on building stronger, safer communities."
2. ^ "List of Ministers and Ministers of State", Government of Ireland, 14 September 2020, retrieved 17 September 2020
3. ^ "About Us". Department of Justice. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
4. ^ Justice (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 251 of 2021). Signed on 18 May 2021. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 27 May 2021.
5. ^ "Oonagh McPhillips appointed Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality". justice.ie. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
6. ^ "Reform and Transformation". Department of Justice. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
7. ^ Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, s. 1: Establishment of the Departments of State (No. 16 of 1924, s. 1). Enacted on 21 April 1924. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 5 October 2019.
8. ^ Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, Schedule (No. 16 of 1924, Schedule). Enacted on 21 April 1924. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 5 October 2019.
9. ^ "Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 (Commencement) Order 1924". Irish Statute Book. 30 May 1924. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
10. ^ Justice (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 1982 (S.I. No. 327 of 1982). Signed on 16 November 1982. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 13 September 2019.
11. ^ Justice (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 1993 (S.I. No. 34 of 1993). Signed on 3 February 1993. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 13 September 2019.
12. ^ Equality and Law Reform (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 297 of 1997). Signed on 8 July 1997. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 13 September 2019.
13. ^ Justice (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 298 of 1997). Signed on 8 July 1997. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 13 September 2019.
14. ^ Charities and Street and House-to-House Collections (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 376 of 2001). Signed on 27 July 2001. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 18 July 2020.
15. ^ Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 217 of 2010). Signed on 18 May 2010. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 13 September 2019.
16. ^ Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 216 of 2010). Signed on 18 May 2010. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 13 September 2019.
17. ^ Equality, Integration, Disability and Human Rights (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 139 of 2011). Signed on 29 March 2011. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 13 September 2019.
18. ^ Justice and Law Reform (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 138 of 2011). Signed on 29 March 2011. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 13 September 2019.
19. ^ Charities and Street and House-to-House Collections (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 194 of 2011). Signed on 19 April 2011. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 18 July 2020.
20. ^ Equality Tribunal (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 531 of 2012). Signed on 18 December 2012. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 18 September 2020.
21. ^ Censorship of Publications Board and Censorship of Publications Appeal Board (Transfer of Ministerial Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 255 of 2013). Signed on 19 June 2013. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 21 September 2020.
22. ^ Censorship of Publications Board and Censorship of Publications Appeal Board (Transfer of Ministerial Functions) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 89 of 2015). Signed on 10 March 2015. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 21 September 2020.
23. ^ Ordnance Survey Ireland (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 637 of 2015). Signed on 1 December 2015. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 September 2020.
24. ^ Valuation Office (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 638 of 2015). Signed on 1 December 2015. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 September 2020.
25. ^ Charities (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 348 of 2017). Signed on 26 July 2017. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 18 July 2020.
26. ^ Ordnance Survey Ireland (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 573 of 2017). Signed on 12 December 2017. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 September 2020.
27. ^ Ordnance Survey Ireland (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 574 of 2017). Signed on 12 December 2017. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 September 2020.
28. ^ Valuation Office and Valuation Tribunal (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 575 of 2017). Signed on 12 December 2017. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 September 2020.
29. ^ Youth Justice (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 435 of 2020). Signed on 13 October 2020. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 16 October 2020.
30. ^ Disability, Equality, Human Rights, Integration and Reception (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 436 of 2020). Signed on 13 October 2020. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 16 October 2020.
31. ^ Justice and Equality (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 452 of 2020). Signed on 20 October 2020. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 1 November 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Structure of the Department
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