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

The Garda hopes to have that analysis done by the end of the year and then, obviously, it will look to what will be needed beyond that. The new digital evidence management system has to be developed to be able to back up all of this information. It is a huge amount. We have a budget of €155 million for ICT alone this year. That is assisting in the development and roll-out of the body cameras we have, but also other technology. Every Garda member on the beat has a hand-held device that is very like a phone. It is, in essence, like a mobile computer that allows them to access PULSE to provide or input information. It also links up with the body cameras. There will be a budget for next year to make sure these can be rolled out.

Very much linked with that is the facial recognition technology Bill, which I will be publishing in the coming weeks. It is really important that when gardaí have these body cameras, they have the ability to use AI, obviously in the specific circumstances we have outlined but also including public order, drug-related offences and other serious types of crimes. They will then have the technology synched with the facial recognition technology Bill. That work will continue next year and whatever investment and resources are required for that will be provided.

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