Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-10
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

I understand the purpose and objective of the amendment because it is important that rules are in place governing the retention of data, how long it can be retained for and its use. The way we are proposing to deal with that is in the code of practice, which is set out in section 10 of the Bill. The Senator will see that section 10 of the Bill refers to a new section 47A, which refers to codes of practice for Part 6A, which is the biometric analysis. The proposed section 47A(2) states that "a draft code of practice shall include provisions relating to [...] the confidentiality, security, storage, access, retention, erasure and destruction of data obtained as a result of the operation of" biometric analysis. It is an important issue but it will be dealt with. The most appropriate place to deal with it is within the code of practice. This House obviously will have a say in respect of the code of practice as it only comes into effect if this House approves it. The provisions of the recording devices Act are without prejudice to the requirements of the Data Protection Acts. The principles of data protection are set out in those Acts and the processing of data, including access, retention, storage, deletion or destruction, will be supplemented by the codes of practice. It is not just the code of practice; it is the data protection legislation as well. I have referred the Senator already to section 47A. I also emphasise that the power provided for in this Bill is for An Garda Síochána only. Consequently, I do not think the amendment is necessary because of what is within the Data Protection Act and what is required to be in the code of practice.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-10