Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 6

Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television System.

Tony Gregory

Question:

614 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the gardaí will install a closed circuit television unit on CIE property to cover the Sheriff Street residential area, Dublin 1, in view of the lawlessness and drug dealing there at night time. [9185/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The introduction of Garda CCTV into an area is a joint venture and requires the involvement and support of the local community, the Garda authorities and my Department.

A number of communities have expressed an interest in the introduction of a Garda CCTV scheme and submitted formal proposals. An advisory committee was established by the Garda Commissioner to examine the future of CCTV systems as an aid to policing. While their main objective was to evaluate the potential crime prevention capacity of each of the applications received, they were also required to evaluate each application from a technical and telecommunications perspective while also taking into consideration the level of finance available from my Department and from local business/community sources.

I understand that, in all, the advisory committee has received 25 applications for the installation of Garda CCTV systems. This includes full and comprehensive proposals which were submitted in respect of eight locations. Each of the applications will be prioritised with regard to the respective levels of crime in the locations in question and the likely impact of a Garda CCTV system on same.

To date the advisory committee has prioritised six locations for the installation of Garda CCTV systems. They are as follows: Bray, Cork, Dublin (South Central), Dundalk, Finglas and Limerick.

The remaining applications on hands are still under consideration by the committee and it is anticipated that further systems will be scheduled in due course as resources permit. The resources required to finalise existing schemes and to start work on the new schemes already prioritised by the advisory committee limits the scope for the extension of Garda CCTV systems to other areas at the present time.

To date no application has been received by the CCTV advisory committee for the installation of a Garda CCTV system in Sheriff Street.