Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2005
507 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the installation of closed circuit television cameras for the towns of Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir and Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21137/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda authorities that no application for a Garda CCTV system has been received in respect of Carrick-on-Suir or Tipperary town by the CCTV advisory committee, which was established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on all matters relating to CCTV systems. It should be noted that 17 CCTV schemes, including Clonmel, are either at installation, tender or planning stages. The expansion is being implemented on a phased basis. Phase 1 involves Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick, phase 2 involves Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford and phase 3 involves Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo. Phase 1 has been completed in 5 of the 6 locations.
The installation of the CCTV systems is of necessity a detailed, complex and lengthy process. The Garda authorities have been giving careful consideration to a restructuring of the manner in which these Garda CCTV systems go to tender. I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of the remaining CCTV programme and to reduce as far as possible the workload of the Garda Síochána in this regard. The proposed redesign of the tender document provides an opportunity to outsource the installation of Garda CCTV systems to the greatest possible extent, making use of the technical and project management expertise of the private sector. I have asked the Garda Commissioner to submit proposals for a revised tender document for the 11 locations in the remaining two phases, with a view to achieving implementation in priority locations by the end of 2006.
As a first step in this process, the Garda authorities have placed a request for tender document on the Government e-tenders website, seeking tenders for consultancy services for the procurement, supply and implementation of town centre CCTV systems to the Garda Síochána. Six tender proposals have been received and are being evaluated. In order to procure the most rapid delivery of the systems, the Garda is endeavouring to establish the most appropriate procurement model available. This process will involve the successful tenderer examining all aspects of Garda involvement in CCTV systems, including the installation, operation and management of systems; monitoring, recording and related activities; accommodation and situation of facilities and staff in relation to the town scheme and Garda station premises and an assessment of the civilianisation of Garda CCTV monitoring conducted under the management of the Garda.
The successful tenderer must examine and recommend the procurement model that is considered to be the most suitable in terms of commercial viability and cost-effectiveness for the provision of town centre CCTV systems. It is the ambition of the Garda to maximise the outsourcing of all processes in making Garda town centre CCTV systems available in the most efficient and effective manner. The inclusion of other town centre locations in the programme of Garda CCTV systems will be considered in the context of the Garda Commissioner's proposals.
