Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 3

Written Answers. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

42 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has for the greater use of closed circuit television cameras to help combat street crime; the number of locations which closed circuit television is currently in operation; the number of applications received from other locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20178/00]

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

Three Garda CCTV systems have been installed to date in the State – in Temple Bar, Dublin North Central and Tralee in County Kerry. Recently the CCTV system in Dublin North Central which encompasses the O'Connell Street and adjoining areas was increased from 38 to 42 cameras and the CCTV system in Pearse Street, Dublin South Central is currently being increased from nine to 24 cameras.

It is also important to remember that Garda CCTV systems are an aid to existing Garda resources. As such, they must be viewed in the context of overall policing operations and carefully planned and integrated into Garda operational procedures.

Applications for Garda CCTV systems are considered by the CCTV advisory committee that was established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate applications for Garda CCTV systems. To date, the advisory committee has received in excess of 40 applications for Garda CCTV systems, as aids to policing. Six locations have been prioritised for the installation of such systems. These are in alphabetical order: Bray, Cork, Dublin South Central, Dundalk, Finglas and Limerick. The extension of the Garda CCTV system in Dublin South Central to include Grafton Street and its surrounding areas and the installation of a CCTV system in Cork City are the CCTV projects currently being undertaken. The remaining applications are under consideration.

Our experience to date of Garda CCTV systems shows that it has an important role to play in crime prevention and detection as well as in reassuring the public. The Garda authorities have confirmed its success and advised that assaults, drug dealing, "on street crime" and so forth have dropped very appreciably where the cameras are in place. CCTV systems have also addressed a number of policing problems – syringe attacks on tourists and at ATM's, anti-social behaviour – and have proved vital to the success of a number of Garda operations.

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.