Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026: Report and Final Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-17
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Chris Andrews (SF), Labour Panel

I move amendment No. 9:
In page 19, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following:
“Safeguards for Retention, Access and Use of Digital Data
24. (1) Any digital data seized, captured or otherwise obtained under a search warrant issued pursuant to this Act shall be retained only for the minimum period strictly necessary for the investigation of the offence to which the warrant relates.
(2) Digital data that is not, or is no longer, relevant to the investigation or prosecution of an offence shall be securely deleted without delay.
(3) The Garda Commissioner shall ensure that all digital data retained under this Act is subject to:
(a) strict access controls;
(b) comprehensive audit logging;
(c) encryption at rest and in transit; and
(d) periodic review to confirm ongoing necessity and proportionality.
(4) Digital data obtained under this Act shall not be used for any purpose other than the investigation of the offence specified in the warrant, unless authorised by a further warrant issued by a judge of the High Court.
(5) Where digital data includes information relating to third parties not suspected of any offence, such information shall not be examined, retained or used except where strictly necessary and proportionate and expressly authorised by a judge.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed as permitting the retention or use of digital data in a manner inconsistent with the Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights, or the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.”.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:04+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-17