Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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197. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received a report from the Garda authorities regarding the issuing of body-worn cameras to An Garda Síochána; and if so, the amount of funding that will be provided for the issuing of body-worn cameras. [11814/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion.  Very significant capital investment is also being made, including investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021.  The Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of these resources and decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of equipment and resources, including ICT resources, are for the Commissioner in light of identified operational demands. 

As the Deputy will be aware, the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland included a recommendation that An Garda Síochána develop a plan to deploy body worn cameras.  The Implementation Plan for that report - A Policing Service for the Future - includes a related action in relation to legislative preparation for deployment of body worn cameras.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a Working Group in An Garda Síochána, chaired by an Assistant Commissioner, is preparing a report on the issue of body worn cameras.  On completion of that report and subject to the Commissioner's views on the way forward, questions including any funding implications will be addressed.