Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Much of my response focused solely on the legislation because it is the part that applies to me and my Department. The code of conduct that has to be set out and the procurement process are matters on which the Garda will be, and already is, working. A lot of meetings have been taking place between my departmental officials and me, the Garda Commissioner and his team, the Attorney General and others to ensure we do not have a situation whereby the legislation is passed and it is only then that the other work that needs to be done starts. We are trying to ensure all of that work is processed in parallel.

I intend to seek funding in this year's budget to make sure that once the legislation is passed, the code of conduct is put in place and the procurement process is finalised, the funding is there and the equipment can be bought and put to use as quickly as possible. Technology is evolving all the time and, as the Deputy rightly mentioned in his first contribution, we have the benefit of being able to see how this works in other jurisdictions. We have a Commissioner who has experience of it. We know it works in other jurisdictions and we can learn from mistakes made elsewhere, whether in regard to civil liberties and rights, GDPR or anything else.

That is probably why it is taking so long. We are trying to make sure we take on board our own law and the question of how it can be applied in addition to examining other jurisdictions to make sure we get this absolutely right and so the investment, which will need to be huge, will be appropriate and adequate.

What will need to happen, reflecting what happens in other jurisdictions, will be an operational matter for An Garda. People will be aware and alerted to the fact that a camera is on or being turned on. There will be a period after the camera is turned on during which video footage can be gathered. That, in itself, will act as a deterrent. If somebody knows a camera is going to be turned on, it might change his or her behaviour. Cameras have been very helpful in other jurisdictions. I thank the Deputy for the support on this and hope we can have the legislation enacted by the end of the year.

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