Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
25. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the introduction of an online portal for uploading and reporting of digital evidence, such as video of road traffic offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17844/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by An Garda Síochána that they are committed to delivering on this portal. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, this will necessitate the development of a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) to store, manage and process any footage received.
This system is also required as part of the implementation of body worn camera (BWC) technology in An Garda Síochána, as it is also a fundamental building block for the deployment of an enterprise-scale body worn camera solution across the large Garda organisation.
As the Deputy may be aware, the project to introduce body worn cameras and the associated digital evidence management system to An Garda Síochána is underway, and is being undertaken on a phased basis. The first stage is a limited proof of concept deployment of cameras in three locations, including Dublin City Centre, which is planned to commence within the next few months.
The legislation which underpins the proof of concept deployment, and the eventual full roll out of body worn cameras, is the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023, which was enacted last December.
The proof of concept will, of necessity, be limited in scope but will provide learnings and be used as valuable operational input for the next and substantive stage of the project, the national procurement and rollout of BWCs including the introduction of a DEMS. This system, in addition to supporting the cameras, will support the use of an online portal to facilitate the uploading and submission of video footage to An Garda Síochána by the public.
I am informed that it is currently envisaged that the portal will be developed next year following the developments I have outlined above.
