Harris doubles down on plans to fast-track facial recognition technology

Simon Harris: 'I'm really clear that the Garda Commissioner believes he needs these tools. And as a justice minister, I'm going to do everything I can to provide them.' File picture: Gareth Chaney

Justice Minister Simon Harris has doubled down on plans to fast-track the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by gardaí despite a disagreement within the Coalition on the issue.

The Green Party has said it would prefer if standalone legislation dealt with FRT rather than amending current legislation working through the Oireachtas to enable the use of the technology by gardaí.