Vol. 530 No. 1
31 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date with regard to the proposed installation of equipment to allow for the videotaping of interviews with persons in Garda custody; the number of Garda stations equipped with such facilities; the total number of stations in which it is proposed to install the equipment; the proposed timeframe in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3197/01]
In my reply to questions on this matter on 15 November last, I indicated that, at that time, only those Garda stations which took part in the pilot trials of electronic recording had facilities for audio/video recording Garda interviews with detained persons. There are six such stations as follows: Tallaght, Bridewell in Cork, Bridewell in Dublin, Portlaoise, Henry Street, Limerick and Mill Street, Galway. Since then, similar facilities have been installed in the Garda College, Terenure, Drogheda, Sligo and Waterford. Additional equipment has also been provided to the Cork Bridewell.
It is proposed that facilities for audio/video recording will be installed in approximately 150 Garda stations. In my reply of 15 November, I mentioned it was envisaged that 300 interview rooms would be refurbished for the new audio/video equipment. I now understand that, following a further assessment of their requirements by the Garda authorities, the actual number of rooms to be used for that purpose will be in the region of 220.
Interview rooms in all the relevant stations will need to be refurbished and fitted out to facilitate the required audio/video equipment. Tenders were received last October for the supply of this specialised recording equipment. Completion of the evaluation of the tenders received, and placing a contract with a supplier, has been delayed due to problems encountered by the Garda authorities with equipment submitted by suppliers during the tender evaluation process. As a result, delivery and installation of the equipment in the remaining selected stations is expected to commence in April and be completed before the end of the year.
In order that we can monitor the Minister's progress on this issue I want to ask a number of questions. How many stations will be fitted with audio-video recording facilities and what is the total number of rooms? In November the Minister indicated that 130 rooms would be equipped by the end of March. How many have been equipped to date and will the target of 130 rooms set by him be reached by the end of March? How much has been expended to date – I asked for this figure the last day – on the provision of this equipment? Is it not the case that the complaint by the Attorney General that the Minister is foot-dragging on this issue is a reality?
There was much foot-dragging on this issue during the period in office of the rainbow coalition Government when nothing happened.
How long has the Minister been in office?
As I already indicated, audio-video recording facilities will be installed in approximately 150 Garda stations by the end of the year. The Garda has revised downwards the number of interview rooms it will require. Having carried out a further assessment, it estimates that the number of rooms will be 220.
It is true that there was a delay. The Garda authorities encountered problems with equipment submitted by suppliers during the tender evaluation process. As a result, there were delays in fitting out the remaining rooms and stations. I have indicated where the stations are located. I do not know the expenditure to date but I will try to ascertain the amount and communicate it to Deputy Howlin.
I asked whether the target of having 130 interview rooms operational by the end of March can still be achieved.
It will not be achieved because of the delays to which I referred. The fitting out of the remaining selected stations cannot commence until April.
What is the new target date for the completion of the 130 interview rooms and when will the equipment be installed in all the 220 rooms in these 150 stations?
The intention is that all of the stations will be fitted out by the end of this year.
In other words, there is no interim target date.
Question No. 32 answered orally with Question No. 30.
