Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Report and Final Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-23
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

Amendments Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, and 10, are my amendments. I am proposing to make them to section 43C to include international co-operation as a purpose under the Bill. This is to ensure that there is clarity that the Garda may use biometric analysis where it is necessary and proportionate to do so, in the context of its co-operation with other international law enforcement authorities such as those in other member states. The provisions of the Bill will therefore apply to such co-operation. The amendments to subsection (6), on the data subjects that may be searched, and subsection (11), which provides definitions for the section, are consequential amendments to the insertion of a new purpose under subsection (2). I believe this amendment to ensure that there is permission for use of biometric analysis, where it is necessary and proportionate to do so for international co-operation, is appropriate, considering that this type of technology will be of considerable assistance in trying to investigate child sexual abuse on the Internet, which, regrettably, is now so common in terms of Garda investigations. It is essential, because of that international nature of this heinous criminal act, that there is an ability for An Garda Síochána to co-operate with their international police partners in other countries.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-23/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:05+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-23