The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 establishes a statutory framework for the use of recording devices to support gardaí investigating, detecting, preventing and prosecuting criminal offences, safeguarding against and preventing threats to public safety and public order, and in matters relating to the security of the State.

Body-worn cameras are expected to be available to Dublin city centre gardaí as early as next spring.

Separate and more controversial legislation is being taken forward by the government to allow An Garda Síochána to combine the bodycams with facial recognition technology (FRT).

Welcoming the bill’s passage, justice minster Helen McEntee said: “The government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources, the equipment and the technology necessary to build stronger, safer communities. This includes ensuring that gardaí have body worn cameras, which has been a priority of mine for some time.

“The shocking scenes we witnessed last Thursday night show how crucial bodycams, as well as tools such as facial recognition technology, are to protecting gardaí and help bring criminals to justice.

“These tough new laws will help An Garda Síochána identify perpetrators and gather evidence directly. It will help them deal with public order and with tackling incitement by the far right.

“But there will also be other benefits this bill — greater access to automatic number plate recognition will help with longer-term investigations, and reduce the time it takes to collate evidence and track suspects.

“Policing services across the world have gained significant benefits from the introduction of these technologies and I am confident that they will play an important role in improving Garda front-line capabilities and in ensuring the accurate recording of incidents.”

She added: “Now that the bill has successfully completed its final stage, I hope to see it enacted, commenced, and for body-worn cameras to be rolled out as soon as possible.”

The use of facial recognition technology will be provided for separately in the new Garda Síochána (Digital Management and Facial Recognition Technology) Bill 2023.

Mrs McEntee said: “I have instructed officials to include riot and violent disorder in the new facial recognition bill which will be ready to go to government within weeks. I have also informed the Cabinet that I have asked An Garda Síochána to consider how to fast track the purchase of Garda bodycams.”

Codes of practice will be developed for the use of the various technologies provided for in the bill and will be included in a statutory instrument.