Pat Lee
Question:116 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for Justice when he will make the necessary order to enable the immediate introduction of close circuit TV monitors into detention cells of all mainline metropolitan Garda stations throughout Ireland.
Written Answers. - Garda Station TV Monitors.
The question of providing close circuit TV monitors in Garda cells raises a number of complex issues that would require detailed examination before any such arrangements could be introduced on the scale envisaged in the Deputy's question.
It would be necessary, for example, to take account of the implications as regards the privacy of persons detained in cells. It would be prudent also to take account of the fact that the advisory group on prison deaths, whose report I recently published, decided not to recommend the introduction of close circuit TV in prison cells because of its possible harmful effects in the case of persons who might have suicidal feelings — though the considerations applying in the case of detention in Garda cells might not necessarily be identical in view of the difference in the period of detention involved.
I can confirm that the Garda Commissioner will be examining all the issues that would be relevant in this regard.