Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (900)

Pat Breen

Question:

1082 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 452 of 3 February 2004, the status of closed circuit television for Ennis, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21845/04]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

As the Deputy is aware, 17 locations throughout the country, including Ennis, are set to receive town centre CCTV systems. This expansion is being implemented on a phased basis as follows:

	Location
Phase 1	Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick
Phase 2	Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford
Phase 3	Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo

Installation of the CCTV systems is of necessity a detailed, complex and lengthy process. The installation of the systems in Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire and Limerick has been completed and these systems are now fully operational. The second phase of Garda CCTV systems will be installed in Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford. The Garda authorities have given careful consideration to a restructuring of the manner in which these Garda CCTV systems go to tender with a view to delivering the implementation of these CCTV systems in a faster, more efficient and cost effective manner. Significant progress has been made in this regard. The pre-tender process to engage the appropriate services to commence the implementation of the proposed second phase of CCTV systems is almost complete. This tender competition will be advertised on the Government website www.etenders.ie and the Official Journal of the European Communities, OJEC.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that planning for the installation of the CCTV systems in phase 3, including Ennis, is scheduled to commence later this year. This planning process includes, but is not confined to identifying the proposed camera locations, which are based on the policing requirement for each area; and identifying the structural and electrical works which will be required at the Garda station where the cameras will be monitored.

In addition, consideration will also be given to the experience gained in the new approach to be adopted for the implementation of phase 2 of the programme with a view to delivering the implementation of the Ennis CCTV system in a faster, more efficient and cost effective manner.