Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 612: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views as to whether all Garda interviews with suspects should be videotaped; the likely cost of such an initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19274/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am advised by the Garda authorities that currently there are 130 Garda stations equipped with audio or video facilities. A recently conducted Garda survey indicates that 98.1% of interviews as specified in the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Electronic Recording of Interviews) Regulations 1997 are now being recorded. Interviews are not recorded mainly because either the arrested person declines to have the interview recorded or the equipment is already in use or is otherwise unavailable.

My intention is to move the number of interviews recorded towards 100%. In this regard, the recently published third report of the steering committee on audio and audi-video recording of Garda questioning of detained persons found that with the putting in place of additional units of equipment in a number of stations which already have the facility, there are a sufficient number of Garda stations in all Garda divisions to ensure that all interviews as specified in the regulations are recorded. A Garda working group has been established to implement the recommendations of the report.

It is not possible to provide a cost for the provision of additional recording facilities as the cost is dependent on a number of factors, including the cost of the specialised equipment and the provision of suitable, if necessary refurbished, accommodation in Garda stations.