Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2006
30 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda stations equipped for the video recording of interviews with suspects; the percentage of all stations this represents; if there are plans to equip further Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15656/06]
View answerI am advised by the Garda authorities that 131 Garda stations out of a total of 703 stations have video interview recording facilities — 18.63% of the total. It important to state that only a proportion of these have detention facilities. In its third report dated September, 2004, the steering committee on audio video recording of Garda questioning of detained persons reported that there was a total of 167 Garda stations with detention facilities that are used to detain and interview people. Where a Garda station is not equipped with an audio-video system, a person to be interviewed in accordance with the regulations will be taken to the nearest Garda station with such equipment.
In this regard, it should be noted that it was never the intention that all Garda stations would be equipped to carry out audio-video recording of interviews. Rather the intention was that a sufficient number of interview rooms in Garda stations across the country be equipped to provide a broad nationwide coverage. In this context, the Garda authorities have advised me that, in June 2005, a Garda survey indicated that 98.1% of interviews as specified in the regulations were being recorded. Interviews are not recorded mainly because either the arrested person declines to have the interview recorded or the equipment is already in use or is otherwise unavailable.
With regard to future and additional requirements I am advised that the Garda Commissioner is proceeding to prepare a tender for issue to the market for the provision of additional audio video systems.
