Safeguards in Garda facial recognition technology bill do not go far enough — IHREC 

In the wake of the Dublin riots, Justice Minister Helen McEntee received Government approval to fasttrack the publication of the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2023, which will allow An Garda Síochána to use FRT in specific circumstances. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Legislation on the proposed use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by An Garda Síochána does not go far enough to safeguard people’s fundamental rights, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has said.

Last December, in the wake of the Dublin riots the previous month, Justice Minister Helen McEntee received Government approval to fasttrack the publication of the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2023, which will allow An Garda Síochána to use FRT in specific circumstances.