Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
99. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline his Department’s ongoing work to address concerns around the roll-out of community CCTV systems pertaining to a specific data controller being appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18135/23]
View answerCommunity CCTV schemes have benefitted many communities, helping people to feel safer in their local areas. It is a priority for this Department to ensure that community groups continue to be supported in making contributions to the setting up of their local CCTV schemes.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 sets out a new approach to Community CCTV schemes. The Bill was published in August 2022 and was brought before the Dáil for second stage debate last month.
The new approach is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant and only allows for local authorities or An Garda Síochána personnel to be authorised to apply for community CCTV schemes in the future. Authorisations will last for up to five years. Data protection impact assessments and, in the case of an application by a local authority, joint data controller agreements will have to be provided.
Applications for schemes will have to be precise about the number of cameras, the exact location and the extent of their coverage. Specific details about the confidentiality of data, security, storage, retention, erasure and destruction of data will be set out in a Code of Practice to be drafted by An Garda Síochána and to be submitted to the Minister for Justice for inclusion in a Statutory Instrument.
Section 7 of the Bill sets out how existing CCTV schemes that have an authorisation under section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) can continue for a period of up to 4 years, or up until they are revoked by the Commissioner, whichever is earlier. This should give existing schemes ample time to apply under the new arrangements set out in the Bill for CCTV schemes.
Part 6 provides for processing of third-party CCTV by Garda personnel. This part provides specific powers to members of Garda personnel to process a live feed of a third-party’s CCTV where it has been approved by an authorisation issued by a judge, or internally approved by an independent superior officer. This part also provides access to data retained by third parties as a result of the operation of CCTV.
I want to keep communities involved in identifying the local requirement for CCTV. My Department developed a community safety policy in 2021 and the forthcoming Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill will support this policy. Local Community Safety Partnerships are also being established, under that Bill, to replace joint policing committees.
It is considered appropriate that the need for a local Community CCTV scheme should be first discussed at the Local Community Safety Partnership. Increased community representation on the partnerships will facilitate the desired greater input from local communities into Community CCTV proposals. The local authority will have to approve the scheme also and apply for an authorisation to the Garda Commissioner.
