A new data-protection code of practice unveiled today aims to enforce higher standards among gardaí on how personal data is treated and highlights the public's right to information held about them.
The data protection document outlines the obligations on gardaí when collecting personal information required by them and has been issued to more than 12,000 officers.
The first code of practice to be approved by the Data Protection Commissioner under the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003, the Garda data protection code provides for regular audit of access to the Garda Pulse information system.
It also outlines the right of each individual to access the personal data held by the gardaí about them - as long as supply of this data is not prejudicial to a Garda investigation.
The code also emphasises the responsibility on gardaí to protect information carefully, ensure its contents are not revealed to others without authorisation and to dispose of it when no longer needed.
Auditing of the Pulse system will involve the regular examination by commanders in each Garda district of a random selection of usage records to ensure the system is used appropriately. An internal unit at Garda headquarters will carry out a further audit on usage patterns.
Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes said the publication of the code was "clear evidence of the seriousness with which this issue has been treated within An Garda Síochána".
"The principal value of the code is that it makes the principles of data protection real for all employees of An Garda Siochana and emphasises the heavy responsibility on them to treat personal data with respect," he added.