Speech by Jim O’Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

Delegates, it is a great honour for me to address you on this the 100^th anniversary of the founding of one of the most successful political parties in the democratic world, Fianna Fáil- The Republican Party.

I am delighted to address you too as the first Fianna Fáil TD to hold the office of Minister for Justice in 14 years.

Since becoming Minister, I have sought to get more Gardaí on our streets, tackle the scourge of domestic violence and restore confidence in our immigration system.

Investment in An Garda Síochána

Since this Government took office, over 1,000 garda recruits have entered the Garda College in Templemore. We are now seeing the impact of this increased recruitment with the roll out of high visibility policing in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and increased Garda recruits being allocated across Ireland.

Garda presence on our streets is not just an end in itself. It is making people feel safe and taking back our city centres for all our people.

As a result of the High Visibility policing plan in Dublin, during the period from April 2025 to March 2026, there were nearly 6,500 arrests made, over 13,500 charges/summonses issued and over 1,000 Adult Cautions/ Juvenile Diversion Referrals.

The operation resulted in a 23% drop in theft, a 33% reduction in robbery from the person, and assaults causing harm were down by 18%.

And yet delegates, it may surprise you to learn that I am now being criticised by members of the opposition who say they are falling over gardaí wherever they go.

I make no apology for getting Gardaí back on our streets. We are just getting started. I know we need to get more Gardaí into stations across the country from Cork to Donegal and that is what I will do.

Following engagement with Minister Jack Chambers, I secured unprecedented funding of €2.74 billion for the Garda Vote in Budget 2026 to support further recruitment and an unprecedented investment in Garda technology.

That money will allow a further 1,000 recruits to enter Templemore over the coming twelve months and by the end of the year we will have the highest number of sworn members of An Garda Síochána since the foundation of the state.

This is what Fianna Fáil do in justice. We continue in our proud tradition of backing our Gardaí. We will always stand with the keepers of the peace.

Tackling Domestic Violence

I have also made tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence a central priority since I became Minister.

We in Fianna Fáil have championed legislative change, inspired by the families who have campaigned to revise the law to protect victims and their children from the most horrendous actions of partners.

I think in particular of Valerie French and Jennie Poole who were callously killed by their partners. I commend their families for their strength in seeking to make sure no other family goes through the trauma of what they were subjected to.

In the last election, inspired by those families, Fianna Fáil committed to introduce Valerie’s Law, in memory of Valerie French, to remove guardianship rights from those who have killed an intimate partner. I am delighted to announce to this Ard Fheis that I will be introducing Valerie’s Law into the Dáil next week. People convicted of killing or incapacitating their child's other parent will no longer automatically retain guardianship rights in Ireland.

Fianna Fáil also committed to introduce Jennie’s law, in memory of Jennie Poole. This law will create for the first time a public domestic violence register which will name those convicted of violent acts against intimate partners. I intend on bringing forward this legislation before the Dáil in advance of the summer recess to ensure that there is nowhere to hide for violent offenders who abuse their partners.

I have also increased the resources allocated to tackling domestic violence to €80 million so that Cuan, the dedicated agency to tackle DSBGBV has the resources required to make a real impact.

We are also seeing for the first time in the state’s history, the creation of a network of refuge units and safe homes for those who have to flee their family homes because of violence.

I am continuing to work with Cuan and Minister James Browne in the Department of Housing to ensure we are exhausting all measures to increase the pace of delivery for this much needed additional capacity.

Immigration

Finally delegates, I would like to speak with you about the issue of immigration.

The primary purpose and function of Fianna Fáil policy in this area is to ensure that immigration to Ireland is sustainable, orderly and ultimately to the benefit of the people of Ireland.

Integration of persons who chose to make Ireland their home must be founded on respect for the social and cultural norms of Ireland, including acceptance of the democratic life of the State, the rule of law and equality.

Since taking office, I have sought to ensure that our rules are respected in the area of immigration. I believe enforcement of those rules is important. This includes using chartered flights to deport people who have refused to leave the country despite being told they have no right to be here. I have also made it a priority to deport those from other countries who commit violent crimes here.

I make no apologies for this. As I have said on numerous occasions before, if you come to Ireland, are happy to contribute to our country and are granted protection you are welcome to stay. But if you, come here under false pretences or engage in criminal behaviour you will be removed. It is that simple.

Delegates, I want to thank you for your time. I thank you for your support and I look forward to continuing implementing Fianna Fáil policy in Government.