Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

309. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will investigate the potential for drones to be used for An Garda Síochána surveillance in combating crime, particularly rural crime where many persons are located long distances from local Garda Síochána stations and using drones as a vital equipment resource would make a huge contribution to the policing of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45224/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of available Garda resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support front-line Gardaí and intelligence-led operations against organised crime. This process takes account of annual policing priorities determined by me as Minister for Justice in consultation with the Garda Commissioner as provided for under section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005.

I can assure the Deputy that the Garda authorities are continually looking to ensure that the latest information, communications and forensic technologies are sourced and deployed to achieve their strategic objectives as set out in the context of their annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the 2005 Act. This policy is designed to ensure that the Garda Síochána will be properly resourced to meet the evolving needs of a modern effective police force and take advantage of proven up to date technological developments in crime detection and prevention as they occur.

Any proposals in relation to the use of drone technology loaded with recording equipment would need to consider potential legal issues including in relation to privacy, data protection and the permitted use of surveillance equipment and also their potential effectiveness having regard to their limitations as to distance and battery life. This Government is committed to delivering a visible and responsive policing service through highly-mobile and responsive Garda patrols in urban and rural areas. The 2016 Budget allocation of €1.5 billion for An Garda Síochána includes over €67 million in additional funding which will allow the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year on top of the 550 Gardaí recruited since this Government reopened the Garda College in September 2014. It will also provide additional funding for Garda surveillance, special operations and targeted, intelligence-led policing. This additional recruitment and budget allocation builds on the current high level of investment in Garda vehicles. We have invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012 with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream in 2015, ranging from more Garda patrol cars to high-powered vehicles for armed units. The Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 also provides for a further €46 million of investment in vehicles, as well as investment in airborne surveillance. Taken together, this step-change in investment in policing will ensure that the Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community.

The Government's continued investment in resources will ensure that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective policing services in our communities to respond to the evolving challenges of modern day criminal activity.