Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-11
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

As I said yesterday, I think it would have been inappropriate to have made it a criminal offence for someone to inadvertently and unintentionally breach the code of practice or the basis, in Part 6A, upon which on the use of recording devices is set out. Notwithstanding that, there will be a code of practice issued. When An Garda Síochána is complying with and performing something in accordance with the code of practice, there will be disciplinary and performance consequences in respect of any failure to do so. The Senator will know that I introduced and signed disciplinary regulations, conduct regulations as they are called, and performance regulations. If it is an inadvertent breach or if somebody fails to comply with the code to a minor extent, it will be a matter for the superiors of that garda to determine how that should be dealt with. We need to recognise that in all walks of life, politics included, people can make mistakes. There can be inadvertent errors made, and I have done many of them in my life. We have to ensure that the response to that is proportionate to the consequence of the mistake and, indeed, the level of intention behind it. To answer the Senator's question directly, the response to any breach of the code or failure to comply with Part 6A will be in the realm of performance and disciplinary matters or conduct matters, to be given effect by the Commissioner.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-11/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:03+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-11