Written answers

Thursday, 8 June 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Equipment

5:00 pm

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda stations now equipped for the video recording of interviews with suspects; the total percentage of all stations this represents; the number of Garda stations with detention facilities that are so equipped; if there are any plans to equip further Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22142/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that 131 Garda stations out of a total of 703 stations have video interview recording facilities — almost 19% of the total. In its Third Report dated September, 2004, the Steering Committee on Audio Video Recording of Garda Questioning of Detained Persons reported that there was a total of 167 Garda stations with detention facilities that are used to detain and interview people. In this regard, it should be noted that it was never the intention that all Garda stations would be equipped to carry out audio/video recording of interviews. Rather the intention was that a sufficient number of interview rooms in Garda stations across the country be equipped to provide a broad nationwide coverage.

Where a Garda station is not equipped with an audio/video system, a person to be interviewed in accordance with the Regulations will be taken to the nearest Garda station with such equipment. In this context, the Garda authorities have advised me that, in June 2005, a Garda survey indicated that 98.1% of interviews as specified in the Regulations were 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.

With regard to future and additional requirements I am advised that the Garda Commissioner is proceeding to prepare a tender for issue to the market for the provision of additional audio video systems.

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