Shay Brennan
Ceist:140. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Justice if he will sanction the use of live facial recognition technology by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12575/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 20 March 2025
Ceisteanna (140)
Freagraí scríofa
An Garda Síochána needs modern tools and equipment to protect people from harm and save lives.
This includes the rollout of bodycams to help protect frontline Gardaí and to allow them to investigate crime as effectively as possible. The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 was enacted in December 2023 and provides a legal basis for the deployment and use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Síochána, for Garda use of automatic numberplate recognition and for the reform of Garda use of CCTV.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to allow for the use of biometric technologies in certain, very controlled circumstances as a tool to process evidence in serious cases.
Work is well advanced on the drafting of a Bill to amend the Recording Devices Act to provide for retrospective use of biometric technologies, including facial recognition. The General Scheme of the Recording Devices (Amendment) Bill, published in 2023, provides for retrospective searching of images which are legally in the possession of An Garda Síochána through the safe and ethical use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in limited circumstances only. It does not provide for the use of live FRT, although I am considering bringing forward further legislation to provide for live FRT, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government.