Clarity sought from minister over CCTV

The installation of community CCTV schemes has been hampered by red-tape and confusion over data protection laws, according to Independent Cllr Brendan Fay.

Three towns - Belturbet, Ballyjamesduff, and Ballyconnell - received funding going back almost six years. However, none of the schemes have ever become operational amid confusion about alleged conflict with GDPR legislation.

Recently, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee announced that over €950,000 for 35 Community CCTV schemes had been approved to date, with a further €1 million earmarked for the development of local authority-led projects in 2024.

The legal framework for the operation of community CCTV requires approval first from the local Joint Policing Committee (JPC); a data protection impact assessment; the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must act as a joint data controller with An Garda Síochána; and authorisation from the Garda Commissioner.

Cllr Fay suggested that the restrictions to launching the schemes to date had protected only “the thieves of this nation and not the good people”.

“This needs to move forward,” he insisted at the April meeting of Cavan County Council. His motion was supported by Fine Gael's Peter McVitty.

“It's gone on too long,” said the Ballyconnnell representative, adding poles had been installed but no camera.

He said the issue would be discussed at the next JPC meeting. “I spoke with the Superintendent last week.”

Party colleague Trevor Smith agreed. He said CCTV in Ballyjamesduff was “long overdue”, and that it had taken An Garda Síochána and the government “long enough” to resolve the impasse over who would become data controller.

It was Fianna Fáil's Clifford Kelly's opinion that the garda barracks was the most suitable location for CCTV systems to be located.

Winston Bennett (FG) was of the same opinion, adding that the introduction of body-cams for gardaí was another matter that needs to be “worked on”.