Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Apr 2000

Vol. 162 No. 23

Adjournment Matter. - Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Mr. Cosgrave

I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for allowing me to raise this issue and I welcome the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House. As he will be aware, the Garda are devising a programme for the implementation of CCTV systems to aid policing in certain areas. It began in central Dublin and has been extended to other parts of Dublin and Cork city. I understand that other areas have been earmarked for the implementation of such systems. Approximately two years ago my colleague in the Dún Laoghaire constituency, Deputy Barrett, was informed that the town was being considered by the advisory committee for a CCTV system. Has the committee made a decision on this important matter?

As far as I am aware, the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Owen, approved the installation of a CCTV system in Dún Laoighaire in 1997 before the change of Government. Will the Minister outline the up to date programme, with particular reference to Dún Laoghaire? Business associations, the chamber of commerce and many local people are interested in the development of such a system. Perhaps the Minister will comment on the general success of CCTV systems, given that he has reviewed the system in place in Dublin city centre.

Last November the Minister informed the Dáil that an advertisement would be placed to recruit 27 additional technicians. Where are they located and what is their role? I am concerned that Dún Laoghaire seems to have disappeared from the list of proposed CCTV schemes because another list was published recently which comprised, in alphabetical order, Bray, Cork, Dublin South-Central, Dundalk, Finglas and Limerick. I do not say that one area should be preferred to another as some of them speak for themselves in terms of the necessity for such a system. Does the Minister have definite news on the current programme?

On 21 April 1999, in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 597, the Minister stated, "Dún Laoghaire is among the remaining applications on hand which are still under consideration by the committee." I hope two years later that a decision has been made in principle to go ahead with the installation of a CCTV system in the town. What extra resources have been provided for the development of such systems? Costs are incurred when setting up the system and obtaining technical advice and the Garda and others also have an input. How much money has been set aside by the Department? What are the ongoing costs of maintaining CCTV systems?

Programmes, such as "Crimeline" and "Crimewatch UK", have helped to solve serious crimes by showing CCTV footage. When one considers the cost of maintaining the prison system, I am sure the Minister supports initiatives which would reduce those costs. Where is Dún Laoghaire in the pecking order? The town was working in conjunction with Bray in terms of installing a CCTV system, but Bray seemed to get ahead in the pecking order while Dún Laoghaire went on the back burner.

Has the Grafton Street system been successful? We constantly hear about weekend assaults, stabbings, robberies, etc., and anything that can be done in this area will, hopefully, reduce the crime level and act as a deterrent. I ask the Minister to respond positively to the questions I have raised. Perhaps he will come back to me if he does not have all the information I seek.

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

I am pleased to be in a position to respond to Senator Cosgrave's matter and to outline the developments currently taking place with regard to CCTV.

The House will be aware that the Government is particularly committed to providing the Garda Síochána with the necessary resources to combat crime and the development of CCTV as an aid to policing is an integral and valuable adjunct to the equipment already provided and available to the Garda in this regard.

Garda CCTV systems are a relatively recent phenomenon in the State. Systems have been installed in three different locations to date – Temple Bar, north central Dublin and Tralee. The advisory group established by the Garda Commissioner to evaluate CCTV applications has received in excess of 40 such applications on a nation-wide basis. The high level of applications for CCTV systems is indicative of a high level of community and business interest in having such systems in cities and towns. Funding for Garda CCTV systems is normally provided jointly by local community interests and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Six locations have been prioritised for the installation of Garda CCTV systems. These are, in alphabetical order, Bray, Cork, south cental Dublin, Dundalk, Finglas and Limerick. The extension of the Garda CCTV system in south central Dublin, to include Grafton Street and its surrounding area, and the installation of a CCTV system in Cork city are the CCTV projects currently being undertaken. It is expected that both projects will be completed later this year. I do not have a record of the then Minister, Deputy Owen, having sanctioned CCTV for Dún Laoghaire.

While Garda CCTV systems are a relatively new phenomenon in this country, the experience here and abroad with CCTV as a crime prevention and detection aid has been very encouraging. Business interests have reported very significant reductions in on-street crime, such as handbag snatching and pick-pocketing. The Garda authorities have also advised that assaults, drug dealing and so forth have also dropped very appreciably where the cameras are in place.

One of the key benefits of CCTV is that the presence of CCTV cameras acts as an overt deterrent to criminals. It also provides the community with a sense of security in the areas where such systems operate and provides a safer environment for locals and visitors alike. CCTV systems may also be of assistance in the detection of crime, the identification of suspects and the efficient use of Garda resources. It must be remembered also that CCTV systems are not in any way a replacement for Garda personnel but are an aid to existing Garda resources.

I am aware, as Senator Cosgrave pointed out, that delays have been encountered in progressing various CCTV projects while the demand from various communities for CCTV systems, including Dún Laoghaire, has been significant. A shortage of technicians in the telecommunications section of An Garda Síochána has impacted on the progress in implementing CCTV systems, particularly in each of the prioritised locations. In reply to Senator Cosgrave, I am pleased to say that a total of 27 additional technicians have now been recruited and they will be engaged in different telecommunications projects, including CCTV. Notwithstanding the shortage of technicians, 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 decided, therefore, to initiate a review of CCTV and asked the Garda Commissioner to examine this matter and to quantify in precise terms the benefits of CCTV in city centre areas.

I am confident that the findings of the current review will assist in facilitating and accelerating the installation of Garda CCTV systems in many different areas, including Dún Laoghaire. I would welcome any views the Senator had on CCTV in general and I note his support for the application from Dún Laoghaire for its introduction there.

With regard to additional resources, it is my intention, following on the report of the review group, to bring proposals to Government in order to accelerate the installation of CCTV systems in as many of the areas that have applied as possible. It is a system in which I repose great faith. I am convinced of its efficacy. I am also convinced that in terms of cost benefit, it more than qualifies. In all of those circumstances, Senator Cosgrave will appreciate that I am as anxious as he is that we would proceed to install the cameras in areas such as Dún Laoghaire for the benefit of the citizens of the areas in question. There is no doubt that this particular system has been hugely successful wherever it has been installed and it is decidedly the way forward in terms of one of the crucial resources in the fight against crime on our streets.

The Seanad adjourned at 1.45 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 12 April 2000.