Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill. We have seen wide levels of engagement on this matter from stakeholders on the front line from rank and file gardaí, right up to the Garda Commissioner. I understand that all of them have welcomed the support for the use of body cameras.

Deputy Costello referred to public consultation. Perhaps the Minister, Deputy Harris, will clarify whether that will be an integral part of this legislation. It is very important that people are aware of what the legislation is, how it will work, and have an understanding of it. It is important to bring people along with us and not just announce the legislation. I certainly will be interested to hear about that. It is really important that there is a public consultation element to it.

For years the modernising of An Garda Síochána has moved at far too slow a pace. Ireland has lagged behind other EU member states for many years on this front. Those who stand on the front line serving the public in times of need must be given the tools and resources to ensure a high standard of public safety. It is important that these are provided in order that both members of the Garda and the public are protected, so it is a win-win.

I will take this chance to acknowledge the really good work that members of the Garda do in Pearse Street and Kevin Street Garda stations. Gardaí working on the front line do a really good and professional job. The job they do is very important. The violent running battles in the City Quay area are well documented. The gardaí from Pearse Street Garda station have done a fantastic job in working with City Quay residents and Creighton Street residents. Their work is far from easy but they do it so professionally and their commitment is second to none. Superintendent Dermot McKenna of Pearse Street Garda station has been involved from the start in ensuring resources are in place to protect residents. I believe the Garda needs more resources in the inner city. I have said it before and I will continue to say it. This is essential. The Government needs to respond. The Cabbage Patch in Kevin Street is a small park in Dublin 8 that has been neglected for years. It would not be safe unless members of the Garda were involved in saving this park. A lot more work needs to be done but it is heading in the right direction.

I welcome this legislation. The body camera is key. As mentioned previously, we are in a surveillance society. It appears to be in everything, from doorbells, to the Luas, to people using phones. I saw an incident recently where someone was being assaulted. Rather than call the Garda, people filmed it. It seems that this is the type of society we have gone to. The use of body cameras is not a ground-breaking or radical idea. It has been on the go for many years across the US, England, Scotland and Wales, along with many EU member states. The benefits are well documented. Body cameras have been shown to work in a twofold manner: footage can provide for protection for members of An Garda Síochána from bogus complaints, and they can also provide the public with a safeguard against Garda wrongdoing.

We are witnessing record numbers of members of An Garda Síochána leaving the job in the past few years. From what I can ascertain from meeting gardaí on the front line, morale appears low and people are very downbeat about working in An Garda Síochána in the future. On many occasions they are despondent and this is reflected in the numbers of people leaving. It is vital that we provide new and existing members of An Garda Síochána with the best tools and resources to go about their duties. I suppose, however, it is wider than just that, as the Minister will be aware. We need to ensure the protection of people and provide the technology to Garda members to do their job properly. While body cameras are a step in the right direction, they must go hand in hand with increasing the resources across the board and by increasing the numbers of gardaí available to communities right across the State.

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