Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the selection of this matter for debate and the presence of the Minister in the Chamber. This has been a pressing issue for a number of years. Since 2015, more than 6,000 members of An Garda Síochána have been assaulted in the line of duty. This works out at an average of two members of An Garda Síochána at least every day. The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recommended the introduction of body-worn cameras over four years ago. Ireland is an outlier when it comes to this compared to other police forces across the European Union, in the UK and in Northern Ireland. Since 2009 security staff on the Luas in Dublin have been wearing body cameras. There is widespread support for their introduction not just in society at large but also through all the policing unions and the major officials within An Garda Síochána who have spoken out in support of their introduction.

I fully understand that the legislation covering this move has taken some time to prepare.

It has gone through pre-legislative scrutiny at the justice committee. I am asking for the legislation to be brought to the Dáil and that it would work its way through the Oireachtas in as speedy a manner as possible, with assistance, I hope, not just from all Members on the Government benches but across this House and, indeed, the Seanad. This is a vitally important issue that goes to the very basic need, not just of protecting members of An Garda Síochána as they go about their daily work to protect us, but also of protecting members of society.

The introduction of body-worn cameras would provide the evidence and material that will allow for a better level of prosecutions of those who assault members of An Garda Síochána. It also would provide much-needed evidence and extra vigilance for those who may, unfortunately, want to take cases against the odd member of the force. The introduction of this equipment is long overdue. Over the past number of months and, indeed, the past couple of years, we have seen a firework shot in the face of a member of An Garda Síochána on one of the capital city's main thoroughfares and we have seen repeated attempts to prosecute people who have assaulted gardaí held up due to the lack of evidence or inconsistency in evidence. The ability to refer consistently and constantly to footage obtained through body-worn cameras of the activities of all uniformed members of the force is vitally important.

I understand completely the concerns that have been raised by a certain element within civic society regarding data protection, vigilance and various other concerns to do with civil liberties. I fundamentally believe, however, that the systems in place in other jurisdictions give us not just the legislative but also the practical and operational examples to ensure the cameras are introduced here in a manner that is of benefit to everyone. If we truly believe in safer, stronger communities, it is vital that the people who protect those communities and are at their heart, namely, the members of An Garda Síochána, are themselves given the fullest protection. That is why I am asking the Minister not just for an update but for a commitment to the speedy introduction of these devices.

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