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

Amendment No. 9 relates to safeguards for retention, access and use of digital data. The amendment introduces essential safeguards for how gardaí retain and handle digital data seized under warrant. The amendment ensures data is kept only for the minimum time necessary, securely deleted when irrelevant and protected through strict access controls, encryption and audit logs. It requires periodic reviews to confirm ongoing necessity and prevent mission creep.
Crucially, the data will only be used for the specific investigation named in the warrant unless a High Court judge authorises any broader use. Where third party information is involved additional judicial approval and strict proportionality apply. Overall these safeguards reinforce constitutional and human rights standards in the digital search context.

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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