Vol. 460 No. 5
75 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Justice her policy in relation to the installation and use of close circuit TV cameras as an aid to the detection and successful prosecution of criminal activity; the plans, if any, she has to install such a system in a rural town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1675/96]
The Deputy may already be aware that a closed circuit television (CCTV) monitoring system was launched in the Temple Bar area of Dublin City on 26 October 1995. This pilot scheme is the first of its kind in this country and was introduced in the Temple Bar area with the co-operation of local interests. It is intended that a full review of all aspects of the system including technical aspects will be carried out shortly to evaluate its effectiveness during its initial period of operation. This review will determine future policy in relation to the use of CCTV by the Garda Síochána and proposals for further systems in other areas will be examined in detail in the light of the overall policy established following the review.
While I am committed to the introduction of CCTV as an aid to policing I am anxious to ensure that the experience gained from the installation and operation of the Temple Bar scheme is used to maximum advantage when extended to other areas. As the review of this pilot scheme has not yet taken place I am not in a position at present to comment conclusively on its likely value in reducing crime in this jurisdiction. However, early indications from the Garda authorities are that the use of CCTV has had a beneficial effect on crime prevention and detection in the area in which it has been located and that there have been a number of arrests to date following incidents recorded by the cameras in the Temple Bar area.
