In other words, I can speak to amendments Nos. 7, 8 and 10 at this point.

Am I in a position to move amendments at this point?

That is fine. I was not here to move amendment No. 1, nor would I have been able to move it. With regard to these matters, including the use of bodycams, the point is that all types of recording devices or systems used by An Garda Síochána should, at the very least, be specified in a relevant code of practice. Ideally, there should be a list of all approved devices but, in the absence of that, there should be a proper code of practice. This is an issue that may be the subject of a proposed amendment by Senator Keog…

I can speak to them and, hopefully, we will get white smoke before it comes to the question of moving them. The amendments, such as amendment No. 8, would not allow searches of retained ANPR data to be carried out in respect of protests without the requirement of reasonable grounds to believe there is a significant threat to public safety or order. To allow otherwise could have a chilling effect on the right to protest and must be safeguarded against. As to the question of training for gardaí, before equipment is i…

Forgive me if she has addressed this already but I ask the Minister if it is the case that the legislation will require, or is it her intention, that all types of recording devices or systems to be used by An Garda Síochána will be ones that are specified in the code of practice to which she referred.

I move amendment No. 8: In page 10, to delete lines 14 to 17 and substitute the following: "(b) safeguarding against, and the prevention of, threats to public security, including securing public safety and public order, where there are reasonable grounds to believe there is a significant threat; (c) the protection of the security of the State.".

I move amendment No. 10: In page 11, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: "(g) has received sufficient training to make them suitably qualified to use the relevant device, and after receiving sufficient data protection training so as to render them proficient in operating the device in accordance with legislation regulating the use of data, and (h) after a pilot scheme in respect of that device has been completed, and the results of which have been assessed and published.".

I move amendment No. 12: In page 11, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: "(c) is worn in a location and manner that maximises the camera's ability to capture video footage of the Garda member’s activities.".

I wish to speak to amendment No. 27. I understood the Minister to say that if this amendment were to be accepted, the situation, scheme, as it were, or system would be unworkable. I do not quite understand the Minister’s logic on that. Essentially, this amendment would require that any tracking would be required to be approved by a District Court judge instead of just a Garda sign-off. For ANPR to work, all number plate data is logged and, subsequently, that pool of data is checked against a watchlist of number pla…

I move amendment No. 27: In page 14, to delete lines 18 to 20 and substitute the following: “(2) A judge of the District Court may approve an application under this section, having regard to the information contained in the application, if—”. I will withdraw this amendment so that Senator Keogan or others may table an amendment on Report Stage if they wish.

I move amendment No. 31: In page 14, to delete lines 38 to 41 and in page 15, to delete lines 1 to 12 and substitute the following: “(4) An approval under this section shall be in writing and shall specify— (a) the vehicle that is to be the subject of focused monitoring, (b) the name of the District Court Judge and the date of approval, (c) the conditions (if any) subject to which the approval is granted, (d) the date of expiry of the approval, and (e) any additional matters that may be specified in an applicable c…

I move amendment No. 36: In page 15, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(2) In making an application under subsection (1) , the member shall have regard to the necessity and proportionality of the measure pursuant to an order under this section, taking into account the impact of such on the fundamental rights of individuals.”. This issue is similar to previous ones. This relates to searches of ANPR data by An Garda Síochána. The issue here is that the principles of necessity and proportionality and …

I move amendment No. 42: In page 16, lines 23 to 39, to delete all words from and including “(1) A” in line 23 down to and including line 39 and in page 17, to delete lines 1 to 15 and substitute the following: “(1) A member of Garda personnel shall make an application to a member of the Garda Síochána— (a) of a rank of superintendent or above that may be specified in the applicable code of practice having regard to the rank or grade of the member of Garda personnel making the application, or to the type or the dur…

I move amendment No. 48: In page 19, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: “(6) (a) The Commissioner shall be prohibited from recording a line that could be used to provide tip-offs, leads or confidential information. (b) Any evidence gathered from a recording of a line that could be used to provide tip-offs, leads or confidential information shall be inadmissible in court.”. Obviously, this amendment seeks to insert a provision to the effect that "The Commissioner shall be prohibited from recording a lin…

There is not much I can add to what has been said today other than to first of all share the outrage and horror of all right-thinking people at the latest outbreak of terror in Gaza and its consequences for the most vulnerable people. Nobody can be in any doubt that the Palestinian people in Gaza are in the grip of a terrorist group, Hamas, whose mutilation, murder and hostage-taking are unconscionable and must be part of every conversation about what ought to, should and can happen into the future. Just as clearly…

I am always cautious-----

-----and I am not in any way holding him to account.

I want to conclude on a practical point. It may seem like a very small effort, but one of the things that has been very good about our response to the refugee crisis in recent years has been community sponsorship, which has enabled communities to operate together to bring Afghan refugees, for example, the families of judges and women judges, to safety with their families in our country. I understand that this is also operated - in fact, I know this is operated - in the case of Syrian refugees as well. As it happens…

Cuirim fáilte roimhe an Aire Stáit. The Minister of State is very welcome. It is good to engage with her and I thank her for coming to the House. There is a fair degree of concern among many people with regard to the Government's capacity to consult the general public on matters of public importance and to take on board feedback, specifically. Consultation with advocacy NGOs that are Government-funded may be high on the Government's agenda but when it comes to wider consultation it sometimes seem that views that ar…

Is the Minister of State asking me a question?