Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 21 September 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill 2021: Discussion

Photo of Barry WardBarry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My initial questions are for the Department and relate to the heads of the Bill. Heads 5 and 6 provide for the basis on which the recording of data or the wearing of the camera can take place. While I generally welcome this and believe it is a great idea that makes perfect sense, I acknowledge the potential problems and pitfalls that have been raised by others. The heads of Bill as currently designed really only allow for the gathering of data in the context of evidence. One of the aspects of this technology that is potentially beneficial is in the protection of gardaí against false accusations. We know accusations are made against gardaí that are sometimes, unfortunately, well-founded but there are times when they are not. In certain circumstances, the Bill as currently drafted, does not provide permission to use the body cameras to protect gardaí from false allegations. Has any consideration been given to that? Is there an obvious reason, that I cannot see, for it not to be included?

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