At present, only those Garda stations which took part in the pilot trials of electronic recording have facilities for audio/video recording Garda interviews with detained persons. There are six such stations. Following the recommendations of the steering committee which had been established to examine and report on the feasibility of electronically recording Garda interviews with suspects at Garda stations, the Government decided that a system of audio/video recording of such interviews should be introduced on a national basis.
Implementation committees have been established at Garda and departmental level to plan and oversee the practical steps which must be taken in this regard. It is envisaged that facilities for video recording will be installed in approximately 150 Garda stations and that more than 300 interview rooms will need to be refurbished and fitted to facilitate the audio/video equipment needed. A planned training programme for gardaí in the use of the new equipment and the procedures relating thereto also needs to be undertaken.
I understand that arrangements in relation to these matters are now well advanced and that the equipping of stations should be well in train by the end of the year. It would be difficult, however, at this stage, to put an exact figure on the number of the stations which may be equipped and operational by then but the aim would be to have sufficient stations so equipped in all Garda divisions to give broad national coverage.
The audio/video recording of interviews is governed by regulations which I have made under the provisions of section 27 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, namely, the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 (Electronic Recording of Interviews) Regulations, 1997, S.I. No. 74 of 1997. Under these regulations it is obligatory, subject to certain specified exceptions, to electronically record all interviews with persons detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, as amended, and section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1998, in those stations where equipment has been installed. A detained person has no right as such to have his or her interview electronically recorded as this matter is still governed by the judges' rules which require only a written note to kept of the interview.