Vol. 555 No. 4
25 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of the 200 selected Garda stations that have been fitted with video recording equipment; when the balance will be fitted; if it is intended to extend this facility to all Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18492/02]
In consultation with the Garda authorities, it is intended to equip approximately 220 interview rooms, in sufficient selected Garda stations to give broad national coverage, with the required specialised equipment to facilitate the audio-video recording of interviews with suspects. As of 16 October 2002, 214 interview rooms in 122 stations had been fitted out, and of these 211 interview rooms are in use. The remainder of the stations to be fitted out, some of which are new stations coming on stream, will be completed as soon as practicable. There are no plans to extend the facility to all stations. In this connection, it should be pointed out that certain identified stations were, for technical and other reasons, deemed unsuitable for inclusion in the project when vetted by Garda technical personnel and-or Office of Public Works personnel.
