Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
155. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that have been undertaken by local authorities in terms of CCTV monitoring of illegal dumping, including dog fouling and anti-social behaviour, since the enactment of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022, in tabular form. [47849/23]
View answerThe use of CCTV to monitor anti-social behaviour is outside the remit of my Department and I am therefore not in a position to comment on any local authority measures to manage this issue.
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is continuing to work on the finalisation of draft Codes of Practice and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), which are fundamental to the future operation of CCTV schemes aimed at assisting waste enforcement and anti-litter efforts, including the monitoring of illegal dumping and dog fouling. The LGMA recently circulated draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs to 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 as part of the required consultation process.
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" (e.g. bodycams etc) under the Waste Management Act. DPIAs must also be carried out as part of this process.
I am currently examining these documents with a view to providing the LGMA with feedback as soon as possible on the significant volume of work conducted to date in preparing the draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs. Once the consultation process is complete, the LGMA will then be in a position to formally submit the draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for approval.
