The Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 made amendments to the Offences against the State Acts 1939-1985, the State’s main counter-terrorist legislation, as well as creating new offences.

The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 was enacted to put in place a number of legislative measures to tackle organised crime. Among those measures was section 8 which provides that certain organised crime offences are scheduled offences and accordingly shall be tried in the Special Criminal Court unless the Director of Public Prosecutions directs otherwise.

Both Acts provide that certain provisions shall cease to be in operation unless a Resolution had been passed by each House of the Oireachtas resolving that those provisions should continue in operation.

The Dáil and Seanad have voted to renew for a further year the relevant provisions of both Acts until 29 June 2025.

During the Oireachtas debates Ms McEntee outlined that despite the progress made towards building a lasting peace, the threat from dissident paramilitaries remains.

She said: “It is our duty to ensure that those tasked with protecting us from this threat have at their disposal the appropriate measures to meet it. The provisions I am seeking renewal of today are necessary and required to support An Garda Síochána in investigating, disrupting and dismantling the activities of terrorists.”