Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
54. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when he plans to commence Part 5 of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35128/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes. Part 5 of that Act, when commenced, will introduce these new arrangements.
There is a requirement under that Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for CCTV which will set out the procedures to be followed and I am advised that this work is at an advanced stage.
As part of developing this new Code of Practice, An Garda Síochána consulted with the bodies listed in Part 8 of the Act and conducted a public consultation to seek submissions for any views or observations on the draft Code of Practice for Part 5. This consultation period ended on 24 February 2026. The Garda Commissioner may, upon review of the submissions received, make any amendments he considers necessary to the draft Code.
Prior to commencement, an amendment is also required to the transitional arrangements in section 7 of the 2023 Act, for existing CCTV applications. That amendment has been included in the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill and is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
I expect that the new CCTV provisions set out in Part 5 will be commenced this summer.
