Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Yes, and that money is available to the Courts Service. Digital audio recording technology has been installed across a substantial element of the courts system, including all Central Criminal Courts, the High Courts, Family Law Courts, Special Criminal Courts and Circuit Courts, both criminal and civil. Installation of digital audio recording for the Four Courts complex, which includes the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeal, has been completed. Digital audio recording capability has also been provided for all 22 courts in the new Criminal Courts complex. The phased roll-out of digital audio recording is now focused on the District Court network and on some outstanding Circuit Court facilities. At the same time, portable digital audio recording equipment is being made available as a flexible alternative for use where appropriate. By the time this legislation is enacted, digital audio recording will not be an issue. The requirement for a transcript in the context of any subsequent investigation was one of the main issues raised by the Judiciary.

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