A Donegal TD has said proposed new powers for An Garda Síochána need more oversight and that any changes in relation to the use of recording devices should be subject to public consultation.
Deputy Thomas Pringle believes the Garda monitoring of vehicles with the use of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) monitors should require an order signed by a District Court judge, and for longer periods, an order signed by a Circuit Court judge.
The Government bill on the matter requires an officer at the rank of Superintendent to sign off on the monitoring order for a period of up to three months, and a District Court judge to sign off if the period extends beyond three months.
Something Deputy Pringle says not enough of a check currently takes place:
