New bill to allow gardaí to give evidence remotely and reduce court time
By reducing the time gardaí spend waiting around in court, they will be freed up to spend more time policing the streets and boosting garda visibility. Picture: PA
New legislation to allow gardaí to give evidence remotely in the district court will reduce the length of time members of the force are spending in court.
Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan said the legislation he will bring forward will reduce the time and resources currently being used to bring people in custody to courts and spent in the court itself.
The Miscellaneous Provisions Bill will provide a basis for the remote hearing of all types of criminal proceedings, he said.
"Obviously, gardaí are essential witnesses in those cases but there are very many uncontested and routine applications that happen before a trial which should be heard remotely," said Mr O'Callaghan.
"We don't need to have a garda turning up in court so we can hear them."
The bill would also enable the digitalisation of documents such as bench warrants and charge sheets so gardaí do not have to deliver a physical version to the court.
By reducing the time gardaí spend waiting around in court, they will be freed up to spend more time policing the streets and boosting garda visibility.
While he could not give a timeline for when this legislation will be implemented, Mr O'Callaghan said it would be delivered during his term as minister.
He also said the "search part" of the Garda Síochána Powers Bill would be a priority for him as he aims to tackle the challenges of conducting investigations in the digital age.
"Gardaí must have the power to search, seize and access electronic equipment as they conduct their investigations, and the public have the right to know that these powers will be exercised with appropriate judicial oversight," Mr O'Callaghan said.
Addressing the 149 graduating gardaí, the justice minister said that the overall garda workforce is at a higher number than ever before but he is aware that it is not enough.
"Alongside our efforts in recruitment we will also expand the Garda Reserve to 2,000 and increase the number of Garda staff to 4,000," said Mr O'Callaghan.
"We will continue to identify roles which can be transferred to Garda staff, freeing up more sworn members for frontline duties."
He also noted a record allocation in the budget, which will see a new aircraft operational by the end of the year, with funding for another helicopter sanctioned. Two new water cannons have also been delivered.
As the use of body cams continues to be trialled, Mr O'Callaghan said it is critical there is also the capacity to process the data efficiently, as highly trained gardaí cannot continue to be tied up for months reviewing footage.
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