Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
444 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to provide closed circuit televisions in towns in County Kildare; the meetings he has had with the local authority to discuss such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31404/04]
View answerI am advised by the Garda authorities that an offer in principle was made by Naas Town Council to fund a CCTV system from its own resources and to be monitored from Naas Garda station. Similar offers of CCTV systems have been received from a number of statutory and other bodies throughout the country, as well as offers to fund additional cameras for incorporation into Garda CCTV systems.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the monitoring and use of privately funded CCTV cameras in Garda stations and as part of Garda CCTV systems has been thoroughly considered by the CCTV advisory committee and I understand that a recommendation on this matter was forwarded to the commissioner. Further to this recommendation I am advised that a comprehensive policy document, detailing the proposed procedures regarding the acceptance of third-party cameras, was prepared and is being carefully considered by the commissioner. Upon receipt of the commissioner's views, I expect to be in a position to decide on this matter.
I am also advised that entities such as chambers of commerce, local authorities and various community groups in Athy, Celbridge, Kill, Maynooth, Naas and Prosperous, have expressed interest in my Department's community-based CCTV scheme. The code of practice for the operation of the community-based CCTV scheme has been drawn up by my Department in co-operation with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Detailed technical specifications have been drawn up by the Garda Síochána and are currently under consideration by officials in my Department.
I expect that both the code of practice and the technical specifications will be finalised by my Department in the coming weeks. At that stage copies of same will issue to all communities and organisations who have expressed an interest in the community-based CCTV scheme. Any applications subsequently received will be evaluated and processed in accordance with the conditions set out in the prospectus.
