Data Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (1936)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1936. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a piece of surveillance technology (details supplied) is being used by his Department or any agencies under his remit in view of the fact that there are security and privacy concerns associated with the use of same; the data protection policies on the use of artificial intelligence with respect to instances in which this technology is being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21228/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department does not use surveillance equipment with the type of artificial intelligence referenced by the Deputy on any of its CCTV installations. The Data Protection policy in my Department does not refer to the use of Artificial Intelligence in relation to CCTV technology.

As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.