Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
316. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the laws or regulations in place for privacy for neighbours whose property is being viewed through a video camera (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10873/14]
View answerWhile the Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position as Minister to interpret the law or to provide advice on a particular case in response to a Parliamentary Question, I can say that the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 generally apply to personal images recorded by means of video cameras unless the recording activity relates to an individual's own personal, family or recreational activities. Useful information is available on the web site of the Data Protection Commissioner concerning both the statutory obligations placed on those who use CCTV systems to collect personal data and the rights of, and redress mechanisms available to, those whose personal data are collected by such means (www.dataprotection.ie). In surveillance situations in which the Data Protection Acts do not apply, i.e. because personal images are not recorded and retained, legal proceedings on the basis of an infringement of constitutional or common law rights to privacy may, depending on the circumstances, be possible.
