Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 May 2023
139. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding the legislative progress of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022; his intentions to move the Bill to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21970/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices Digital Recordings) Bill will, when enacted, provide a legal basis for the deployment and use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Síochána and extend the powers governing Garda use of CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to help prevent crime and prosecute those involved in criminal activity.
The Bill will also repeal section 38 of the 2005 Garda Síochána Act and will set out a new approach to Community CCTV schemes. The new approach is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant and only allows for local authorities or An Garda Síochána personnel to be authorised to apply for community CCTV schemes in the future.
Following Government approval, the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 was published in August 2022. The Bill completed Dáil Second Stage on 9 February 2023 and, as in line with Justice Plan 2023, I hope to see it enacted later this year.
