Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill. This positive and proactive legislation will improve not only how we tackle and prevent crime but also how we protect members of An Garda Síochána as they work to keep us and our streets safe.

I know there has been discussion and criticism of some parts of the Bill. I refer in particular to the potential implications for privacy and civil liberties. I very much welcome the open discussion, which it is important to have. I also welcome the consultation that took place when drafting this legislation with groups such as the ICCL, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Data Protection Commissioner and the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA. While it is vital that we make full use of new and emerging technologies and systems that have yielded good results in other jurisdictions, it is critical that we do it in a way that acknowledges the data-driven world we live in. We live in a world where people's private data are a hot commodity. That is the reason they must be treated with a massive amount of respect. I am very reassured by the safeguards that have been baked into this legislation that address many of those concerns.

An important part of the legislation is the provision to place a statutory obligation on the Garda Commissioner to prepare codes of practice around the use of CCTV and recording devices. The codes of practice will require the approval of the Minister for Justice. I understand that work is already under way on these codes and that they will ensure strict standards are applied around confidentiality, security, storage, access and retention of data.

It must be said that trust in An Garda Síochána is extremely high among Irish people. An Amárach Research survey published last year found that 81% of people had trust in the Garda. We have very high levels of positive public engagement. That is because the Garda do brilliant work, often in massively challenging and difficult circumstances. The results of public attitude surveys certainly ring true when I speak to people on the ground in my area in Lucan, Clondalkin, Palmerstown, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas. Their experience of dealing with the Garda is overwhelmingly positive.

Giving gardaí the tools to better investigate and detect criminality will only improve that relationship further. Those tools will allow for recording by body-worn cameras, helicopters, aircraft, Garda dogs, drones, mobile devices and tablets. They will also extend the powers governing Garda use of CCTV and ANPR technology to help to prevent crime and to prosecute those involved in criminal activity. Providing powers for An Garda Síochána to access third-party CCTV on a live-feed basis will support the Garda in carrying out its functions and will be subject to strict guidelines and oversight.

CCTV is often raised with me by constituents. People feel it could be better used to combat illegal dumping, fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour. Therefore, it is positive that CCTV and camera footage will now be more widely used by An Garda Síochána, and used in a way that does not place anyone's personal data or privacy in harm's way. I wholeheartedly welcome the Bill. It is positive, proactive and it will improve how we tackle and prevent crime. Critically, it will also improve how we protect members of An Garda Síochána, as they protect us.

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