Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
796. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the regulations and supports are in place to facilitate local authorities with the roll out of community CCTV cameras; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34275/26]
View answer797. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to confirm the local authorities that are, and are not, facilitating the roll out of community CCTV schemes in conjunction with An Garda Síochána across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34276/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 796 and 797 together.
The consideration and operation of community CCTV by local authorities is a matter for the local authority concerned. As Minister, I have no role in local authorities and updates on the rollout of individual community CCTV schemes should be sought from the relevant local authority.
To-date, the following local authorities have rolled out community CCTV schemes in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, and with funding from my Department: Carlow, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Sligo, Wexford and Wicklow.
The Garda National Community Engagement Bureau offer support and assistance in relation to all applications and processes. Each application is evaluated on the principals of necessity, proportionality, legality and therefore receives the necessary and robust review to ensure the CCTV application will withstand a Human Rights and Privacy screening test. All applications must be presented to the CCTV Advisory Committee and the need for each camera justified.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes. Part 5 of that Act, when commenced, will introduce these new arrangements.
There is a requirement under that Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for CCTV which will set out the procedures to be followed. I am advised that the draft Code of Practice feedback to An Garda Síochána is currently being assessed.
As part of developing this new Code of Practice, An Garda Síochána consulted with the bodies listed in Part 8 of the Act and conducted a public consultation to seek submissions for any views or observations on the draft Code of Practice for Part 5. This consultation was also extended to the Local Government Management Agency. This consultation period ended on 24 February 2026. The Garda Commissioner may, upon review of the submissions received, make any amendments he considers necessary to the draft Code.
Prior to commencement, an amendment is also required to the transitional arrangements in section 7 of the 2023 Act, for existing CCTV applications. That amendment has been included in the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill and is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
I expect that the new CCTV provisions set out in Part 5 will be commenced this summer.
