Joe Carey
Question:76. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice if she will prioritise the enactment of legislation on CCTV schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16063/22]
View answerTuesday, 29 March 2022
Questions (76)
Oral answers (4 contributions)
Will the Minister for Justice prioritise the enactment of legislation on CCTV schemes and make a statement on the matter?
I tabled this question in the absence of legislation to enable local authorities to erect CCTV cameras as a tool to combat illegal dumping. This is an issue that has been raised with me on numerous occasions by councillors and local authority officials in Clare. It needs to be resolved.
I thank the Deputy for the question. I am acutely conscious that the roll-out of community CCTV schemes across the country has benefited many communities, helping people to feel safer in their local areas. It ensures people are safe and supports the Garda in its work. It also supports local authorities, particularly in trying to address illegal dumping. A number of Bills are being progressed to try to ensure we have the most robust programmes in place. We have encouraged local authorities to establish these schemes and to work closely with the Garda.
The Garda Síochána (digital recording) Bill updates the technology including body-worn cameras, automatic number plate recognition and CCTV. I anticipate this legislation will be enacted by the Oireachtas this year. As part of the proposed Bill, it is intended to repeal section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and to replace it with new CCTV provisions. This will deliver on the programme for Government commitment to enhance the use of CCTV to help prevent crime and prosecute those involved in criminal activity.
I have secured Government agreement for the general scheme of the Garda Síochána (digital recording) Bill. The general scheme was sent to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for formal drafting, which is continuing. I hope to enact this legislation as a priority later this year.
As the Deputy may be aware, a number of issues have arisen relating to GDPR, legislation which was introduced at a European level and which supersedes the 2005 Act. It is important to have new legislation to iron out any of the issues that have arisen between local authorities and the Garda.
The issue relating to illegal dumping is covered in a second Bill, the Circular Economy Bill, which is being progressed by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and which was published last Friday. This legislation will support local authorities to put in place CCTV schemes specifically targeting those involved in illegal dumping.
I welcome the progress that has been made on the legislation that has been drafted. I look forward to that legislation coming through the House. It is incredible that local authorities cannot put up cameras and that the footage they secure cannot be used to successfully bring these people to justice. This issue was communicated to local authorities by the Data Protection Commissioner, which was unwelcome. In some areas, local authorities were forced to take down cameras. This is ridiculous and I look forward to legislation being enacted. When does the Minister expect this legislation to be enacted?
I hope my legislation will be enacted this year. That will ensure that the GDPR issues are addressed. It will set out in a clearer way the role An Garda Síochána and the local authorities have in community CCTV. In some areas there has been a reluctance to take on these schemes because of the uncertainty in the local authorities and An Garda Síochána. The Circular Economy Bill was published last Friday and it may take a little longer to move through the Houses. We need to ensure we get the right balance. While CCTV has a really important role to play in supporting the Garda in its role in helping to identify and deter criminals, it is important to ensure that we keep our communities not just safe but also clean. Obviously, illegal dumping in towns and villages as well as in our rural communities is very detrimental environmentally, particularly to various species of animal wildlife, and it also impacts our rivers. There are a number of benefits to community CCTV and that is why these Bills are being progressed as a matter of priority.