Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Report and Final Stages
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-13
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

I thank Deputy Carthy for this amendment. As the subheading to it indicates, it is a processing amendment. I want to point out, however, that a processing provision is already provided for and the wording proposed for this section will be governed by the code of practice. The provisions of the recording devices Act are without prejudice to the requirements of the Data Protection Acts. The general principles of data protection are set out in those Acts and the processing of data, including access, retention, storage, deletion or destruction of data, will be supplemented by the code of practice. I ask Deputy Carthy to look at section 47A, which is on page ten of the Bill and, in particular, subsections (2) and (3) of that section. Subsection (2) states:
[the] draft code of practice shall include provisions relating to-
[...]
(b) parameters for use of biometric analysis, including geographical and, subject to section 43C(7), temporal limits of such use,
(c) the confidentiality, security, storage, access, retention, erasure and destruction of data obtained as a result of the operation of Part 6A,
It specifically includes, in subsection (2), reference to data, and also subsection (3)(b) refers to "different types of biometric data and biometric analysis", and "different categories of persons or data (including biometric data)".
The issue is referred to and covered already in the Bill. There is, as I say, a provision there regarding the destruction or deletion of data where it does not result in the recognition or categorisation of a person. I also emphasise that the power provided for in this Bill is for An Garda Síochána only.

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Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:03+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-13