Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
130. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeframe for the enacting of legislation that will permit local authorities to install CCTV cameras in the vicinity of bottle banks and other waste collection locations. [28550/23]
View answerLegislation permitting local authorities to utilise CCTV in their litter and waste enforcement efforts has already been enacted under the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. However in order to address data protection concerns, the Act sets out a number of conditions to be complied with prior to the introduction and use of CCTV by local authorities. In particular, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is required to prepare and submit draft Codes of Practice to the Minister for the Environment, Climate & Communications for approval.
The LGMA continue to work on the preparation of these draft Codes of Practice, which are fundamental to the future operation of CCTV schemes. This a complex process and requires consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Justice and the Data Protection Commission. Separate Codes of Practice are required for the operation of CCTV schemes under both the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act, while a further Code of Practice is required for the use of “mobile recording devices” under the Waste Management Act. Data Protection Impact Assessments must also be carried out as part of this process. I will assess and approve these draft Codes of Practice as soon as they are submitted to my Department. Timescales regarding their submission are a matter for the LGMA but my officials are regularly in touch with counterparts in the LGMA with a view to expediting the process.
