Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022
Public bill · Government · Presented
The Bill would give Gardaí a clearer legal basis to use recording tools such as body cameras, CCTV, ANPR number-plate systems and recordings of certain phone calls, mainly for fighting crime, preventing disorder and protecting public safety. It also tightens the rules on when Gardaí can access third-party CCTV, sets up authorisation and oversight for CCTV on Garda and local authority premises, and updates data protection safeguards and codes of practice. It matters because it modernises how policing technology can be used while trying to balance security needs with privacy rights, and it carries penalties for misuse or tampering with recordings.
Formal long title
Bill entitled an Act to provide that members of Garda personnel may operate, or cause to be operated, recording devices in certain circumstances; to provide for additional conditions regarding the operation of body-worn cameras; to provide for the circumstances in which ANPR data, which includes relevant data from relevant bodies, may be utilised by members of Garda personnel; to provide for the recording of certain telephone calls to or from the Garda Síochána and the processing thereof; to outline the circumstances in which CCTV may be installed or operated for particular purposes; to provide for authorisation by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána for the installation and operation of CCTV by the Garda Síochána or by a local authority for those purposes; to provide for the repeal of section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 with associated transitional provisions; to provide that members of Garda personnel may, pursuant to an authorisation given by the District Court or an approval granted by an independent superior officer, process the live feed CCTV operated by a third party; to provide that a member of Garda personnel may request retained CCTV data from a third party and for failure to furnish such data to be an offence; to provide for the installation or operation of CCTV in Garda Síochána premises pursuant to an authorisation; to provide for the preparation of draft codes of practice in relation to the operation of Parts 2 to 6 and for the Minister to declare them by order to be codes of practice; to make certain provision for the admissibility of evidence; to provide for a review of operation of Part 3 and Part 6; to amend the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009; to provide for certain offences; and to provide for related matters.
Last updated 11 September 2024
- Minister for Justice Primary
- First StageDáil
- Second StageDáil
- Committee StageDáil
- Report StageDáil
- Fifth StageDáil
- Second StageSeanad
- Committee StageSeanad
- Report StageSeanad
- Fifth StageSeanad Enacted
- Cream ListDáil Enacted
- EnactedEnacted
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: From the Seanad Dáil
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage Seanad
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages [Resumed] Seanad
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages Seanad
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Committee Stage Seanad
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage Seanad
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages Dáil
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Committee Stage Select Committee on Justice
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) Dáil
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Referral to Select Committee Dáil
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) Dáil
- Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage Dáil