Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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460. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to roll out the use of body-worn cameras by gardaí as standard in view of the fact that the Metropolitan Police in London have seen a 30% decrease in complaints against officers wearing body cameras; if he or his officials in consultation with An Garda Síochána have evaluated the time and resources that can be saved by using such equipment in the context of being able to prove in a more efficient manner complaints against gardaí and-or incidents; his views on the use of body cameras in the context of personal safety of gardaí while in the line of their duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24402/18]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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552. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of providing all front-line gardaí with body cameras. [25700/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 552 together.

The Deputies will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the provision of equipment for An Garda Síochána including specialist equipment such as body worn cameras. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a working group is currently researching and exploring options for the potential use of body worn cameras in An Garda Síochána. I understand that the working group is examining issues including current legislation, the procurement process, storage of data and solutions in other jurisdictions.

In that regard, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the relevant project team has conducted research to gain an understanding of the scale of the project, technology and training requirements, as well as potential legal and policy implications. It is understood the work of the project team has not yet concluded.

The full-year cost of providing all front-line Gardaí with body cameras would only be confirmed once a public procurement process was concluded and a contract awarded.