Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to fit members of An Garda Síochána with body cameras to record their daily duties. [32889/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the provision of equipment for An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I understand from the Garda authorities that in June 2012, fifteen body worn cameras were procured with the purpose of carrying out a technical evaluation of the technology and to evaluate a body worn system which would provide an alternative to the use of video camcorders. These units were intermittently used by the Specialist Training School in the Garda College as part of Garda training courses.

I have been informed that a working group within An Garda Síochána is currently examining the options available on the market regarding body worn cameras, with a view to developing a business case in the event that it is decided to recommend the general use of body worn cameras by members of An Garda Síochána.