Mr. Dale Sunderland:

It is difficult to give a precise timeframe because it will depend on the circumstances. The first thing that needs to be determined is the exact purpose for which the technology is to be used. That is a level of detail that is really important but it is to be worked out in the context of a data protection impact assessment. Data protection law does not specify timelines but it does specify that data should only be retained for as long as is necessary. The justification would have to be made by An Garda Síochána, specifying the timelines or the duration for which the data will be retained and why it is necessary to retain it for that duration. That is a level of detail that is beyond me in my role but that has to be worked through-----