Vol. 571 No. 1
1179 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress with the provision of a closed circuit television system for Kilkenny city, the funding for which was announced two years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20444/03]
As the Deputy is aware, Kilkenny is one of 17 locations are set to receive new Garda CCTV systems over the next two years, subject to the availability of funds. The other locations are, in alphabetical order, Athlone, Ballyfermot, Bray, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Ennis, Finglas, Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Tallaght and Waterford.
The contract for the supply, installation and commissioning of a Garda CCTV system for Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick – and the associated civil works – was awarded at the end of March 2002 to SKS Communications Limited following a competitive tender competition in accordance with EU and national procurement rules. Work is currently ongoing in each of these locations and it is intended that the installation of cameras will commence on completion of the planning process with the relevant local authorities.
The pre-tender process for the CCTV systems in Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford is at an advanced stage. The requests for tender and detailed technical specification documents are currently being drafted by the superintendent in charge, telecommunications section at Garda Headquarters, taking into account the experience of other Garda CCTV systems and technological developments in this field. It is intended that these systems will go out to tender by the end of the year.
Planning for the installation of CCTV systems for Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo is scheduled to commence later this year.
