Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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14. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when bodycams will be introduced, and training provided to members in using these body cams in view of the recent assault on members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60623/22]

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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This question is to ask the Minister when bodycams will be introduced and training provided to members of An Garda Síochána in respect of using them in view of the recent assaults on members of the force, and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am sure Deputies will join me in condemning, in the strongest possible way, any attacks on members of An Garda Síochána and other front-line services. We are all immensely grateful to all gardaí for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public.  Communities up and down the country have paid warm tributes to gardaí throughout this centenary year.  Attacks on the Garda cause injury, not only to the victims, but to communities as a whole.  An attack on a member of An Garda Síochána is an attack on the safety of us all. It is imperative that front-line workers are protected in carrying out their work and that the law reflects and responds to the situations in which they find themselves.‎

The unprecedented €2.14 billion allocated to An Garda Síochána under budget 2023 demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the Garda has the resources needed to carry out its vital service. This includes the provision of €3 million for preparatory work to support the introduction of body-worn cameras, along with €6 million for new ballistic vests to protect front-line gardaí.

The Deputy may be aware the Government published the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 on 4 August last, which will provide a legal basis for the deployment and use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Síochána.

The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland stated in its report that policing organisations around the world have found that such devices can help improve front-line capability with the accurate recording of incidents, expedite analysis, enhance situational awareness and sometimes protect police from harm. While deployment of these devices, including related timelines, will be an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner once the legislation has been enacted, I hope that they will be brought into operation as quickly as possible.

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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The problem is there is no specific timeframe. There is no prioritisation of these. I believe they were supposed to be implemented in the next two years. The Garda members have asked me when gardaí can expect to wear these cameras. I am sure the Minister is fully of the benefits to gardaí of wearing these cameras.

No training has been provided or scheduled. As the Minister will be aware, in recent years in my constituency of County Louth we have had the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and also the tragic killing of Garda Tony Golden. In fairness, when a garda leaves his or her home, the family are hoping the garda will return safe and sound. This resource will be of major benefit to these gardaí. Will the Minister please answer the questions?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. I answered the question, but I will answer it again.

Any attacks on members of An Garda Síochána and other front-line services are strongly condemned. The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 was published on 4 August last. It will provide a legal basis for the deployment and use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Síochána.

The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recommended the introduction of body-warn cameras. Policing organisations around the world have found such devices can help improve front-line capability with the accurate recording of incidents, expedite analysis, enhance situational awareness and sometimes protect police from harm. The Bill needs to be enacted before the body cameras will be deployed. The report has been prepared to go to Government and it will be going in the coming weeks.

I agree with the Deputy that these body cameras, or bodycams, are essential. It is essential the Garda Síochána is equipped with the most up-to-date technology to help gardaí do their job more effectively.

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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Recent comments by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Varadkar, suggest more gardaí may be armed. That sounded a warning, especially for family members. Gardaí do not wear guns. If an intruder was coming to meet them, as it were, and all of a sudden a garda has a gun, it would change the whole situation. Will the Minister give us an update on the comments made by the Tánaiste?

We keep mentioning resources. I agree with the Minister that the body cameras will be a fantastic plus. I only hope the Bill can be passed as soon as possible. As I said to the Minister, the resources are so important. In other countries, they are wearing these camcorders and the results are beneficial to the protection and safety of their police. I would appreciate it if we could push the Bill as fast as we can.

There are families listening to this debate. On the comments the Tánaiste made, will the Minister give us an update on whether gardaí will be armed in the near future?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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We will be bringing forward the Bill and I hope the Deputy will support us when we are bringing it through the Houses of the Oireachtas. I am sure the Deputy will.

The Deputy mentioned the Tánaiste. The Tánaiste was answering a direct question, and he answered it. He stated this was a matter for the Garda Commissioner, which it is. What the Tánaiste said was that if the Garda Commissioner requested additional supports or whatever, he would be happy to look at it if the Garda Commissioner looked for more armed gardaí. We have an effective armed response unit. They do excellent work.

The strength of An Garda Síochána has also been through policing by consent as an unarmed police force. As we have heard on many occasions in this centenary year, the Garda ethos is based not on force of arms but on its relationship with the community. I believe that ethos has served us well but I also believe we need to keep our streets safe. The Deputy mentioned bodycams. It is important, as I stated earlier, that gardaí are equipped with the right and most up-to-date equipment in terms of new technology to make sure they do their job.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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We will fit in one last question. With Deputy Durkan's help, we might save a few seconds here.