Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 3

Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Willie Penrose

Question:

145 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give approval and the necessary finance to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána to permit closed circuit television to be installed on the streets of Mullingar and Athlone, County Westmeath, as these have been applied for by the respective Garda superintendent divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20992/00]

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

The advisory committee that was established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate applications for Garda CCTV systems has, to date, received in excess of 40 applications – including ones from Mullingar and Athlone – for CCTV systems, as aids to policing. The applications from Mullingar and Athlone are currently under consideration – as indeed are applications from other cities-towns.

Delays have been encountered in progressing various CCTV projects while the demand from various communities for CCTV systems has been very significant. A shortage of technicians in the telecommunications section of the Garda Síochána has impacted on the progress in implementing CCTV systems. Notwithstanding this, it also became evident that the existing approach to CCTV could not cope with the demand and a review of all aspects of CCTV was required.

I, therefore, decided to initiate a review of CCTV and asked the Garda Commissioner to look at this whole area. The review is now complete and I expect to make a statement on CCTV in the near future.