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 his amendment. As he indicated, he wants to put into legislation that a pilot programme should be carried out before biometric analysis is commenced by An Garda Síochána. As I mentioned on Committee Stage, the putting in place of a pilot scheme for the roll-out of any new technology is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and is not appropriate to this Bill. For instance, regarding the use of body cameras, which Deputy Carthy mentioned, or the use of Tasers, the Commissioner has introduced them through the use of a pilot project. That type of technology is used operationally on the ground by An Garda Síochána in communities.
Gardaí have not yet procured this type of technology. Accuracy will be a decisive factor in any decision made. As I mentioned previously, gardaí will look to their European counterparts during the procurement process because these types of tools are in use in other EU states. The code of practice procedure already requires the Commissioner to conduct data protection and human rights impact assessments before the deployment of any technology. Therefore, I do not think a pilot programme, whether it is necessary or not, should be put into primary legislation. For that reason, I cannot support the amendment.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-13/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:03+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-13