Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our witnesses. It is very interesting. We probably should have had this session before the previous session because it is far more informative and leading up to questions we could be asking. When the Garda Commissioner was giving his evidence, he said that the 99% plus accuracy of modern biometric identification systems is clearly demonstrated by the biannual review by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. Are the witnesses familiar with that and whether that example was quoted extensively by An Garda Síochána in terms of how robust this new system is going to be even though it was pointed out that a number of police forces in the US have refused FRT?

Dr. Birhane said that it was a matter of time before it becomes another cautionary international headline. I would agree with that. Regarding the databases that will be used, the database we will use will be the custody records of An Garda Síochána so there is an inherent bias in there in that it is somebody who has been arrested and more than likely will be charged. Does that mean that facial recognition technology will be inherently biased anyway?

I think one witness referenced the passport database. It is shocking that some people will be coming in at the airport, their photograph will be scanned and on that basis, will be accessed. What procedures can we put in place to ensure that those other databases are not used? I believe that, unfortunately, they will be and it will have serious implications.

I was just wondering if I could have an answer to those couple of questions, please.