Following the recommendations of the steering committee which had been established to examine and report on the feasibility of electronically recording Garda interviews with suspects at Garda stations, the Government has decided that a system of audio-video recording of such interviews should be introduced on a national basis.
Implementation committees have been established at Garda and departmental level to plan and oversee the practical steps which must be taken in this regard. It is envisaged that facilities for video recording will be installed in approximately 150 Garda stations and that more than 300 interview rooms will need to be refurbished and fitted to facilitate audio-video recording. In addition, a major contract has to be placed for the purchase of the specialised audio-video equipment needed. A planned training programme for gardaí in the use of the new equipment and the procedures relating thereto, also needs to be undertaken.
I understand arrangements in relation to these matters are now well advanced and equipping of stations should be well advanced by the end of the year. I am satisfied audio-video recording will be generally available before the legislation to which the Deputy refers is enacted.
With regard to the possible effect on detection rates of the introduction of audio-video recording, I refer the Deputy to one of the findings of the steering committee which oversaw the pilot trials of electronic recording to the effect that inculpatory admissions were made by 69% of suspects interviewed in the pilot stations on tape, compared to 65% in the control stations where interviews were conducted in the traditional manner. This would suggest that audio/video recording should not occasion any reduction in detection rates.
In his questions, the Deputy referred to my recent announcement that the Government has approved the drafting of a Criminal Justice Bill based on the recommendations of the expert group appointed to consider changes to the criminal law recommended in the Garda SMI report. Increased powers of detention and a further legislative restriction of the right to silence in relation to the more serious offences, are two of the measures to be addressed in the Bill. The Bill has only recently been sent to the parliamentary draftsman for drafting.
