Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
326. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the issuing of body worn cameras to each front-line Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7113/20]
View answerThe 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.
In June 2019, the Government approved the drafting of the general scheme of a Bill to allow for the introduction of body worn cameras by the Gardaí. My Department is working to progress a Bill to deal with that and related matters. It had been hoped to publish the general scheme of the Bill in 2019. However, progress has been slower than expected and it is now intended that the General Scheme will be ready for submission to Government by the end of June 2020. Approval of the General Scheme for publication will be a matter for the incoming Government. Subject to that approval and drafting, it is hoped that it will be possible to publish the Bill later in 2020. The intended timeline for enactment of the Bill is currently set for June 2021.
Both privacy and data protection issues are being fully considered during the drafting of the general scheme of the Bill. Relevant stakeholders such as the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission have been consulted.
I understand that in parallel, a business case is being prepared by An Garda Síochána in relation to the introduction of these cameras for operational members. I expect that this will be submitted to my Department after approval by the Commissioner.
