Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current number of interviews of Garda suspects that are recorded on videotape; when all Garda stations will have these facilities available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21576/05]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the Garda working group will examine the measures necessary to extend equipment for the recording of all interviews to all Garda stations; if a target date has been set for the provision of such equipment to all Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21457/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 63 together.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that currently there are 130 Garda stations equipped with audio-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.

I have indicated already that my intention is to move the number of interviews recorded towards 100%. I should point out again that it was never the intention that all Garda stations be equipped with specialised audio-video recording equipment. Rather the intention was that a sufficient number of interview rooms in Garda stations across the country be equipped to give broad nationwide coverage. In this regard, the recently published Third Report of the Steering Committee on Audio and Audio-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.