CCTV legislation 'going in the right direction'

A draft code of practice on CCTV cameras in towns and villages across the country is “finally starting to move”, a meeting of the Cavan Local Community Safety Partnership has heard.

Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley said there is “absolutely a need” for CCTV cameras, while Superintendent John Callanan noted there are several pieces of legislation making their way through the Oireachtas on CCTV use and drone footage.

“One of our own superintendents is part of the core group on that legislation,” he informed, adding that he “can see that moving very quickly”.

While the legislation is still at draft stage, the understanding is An Garda Síochána will have ownership of the surveillance equipment. Applications will be made for the equipment to be placed in a specific areas. The technology, the meeting heard, will “enhance” gardaí ability to investigate, while Supt Callanan said they “have to balance everybody’s rights” and acknowledged “concerns about the intrusive nature of CCTV”.

Meanwhile, in areas where CCTV equipment has already been purchased, this technology will need to go through an authorisation process.

Describing the update as “good news”, Cllr Brendan Fay (IND) asked if there is anything the group themselves can do to “get this moved” and get CCTV “into towns” as soon as possible.

Priority

He suggested writing to the Minister for Justice to “keep the pressure on” the issue.

Supt Callanan assured the meeting that this remains a “high priority” issue for the Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly and the Minister for Justice, while John Paul Feeley suggested they should instead send the letter welcoming the update while also “urging its importance”. This was agreed.

Meanwhile, Cllr Damien Brady (SF) recalled how he had first raised the issue of CCTV in 2009; a time when there were closures of garda stations in the west of the county. In his own town of Ballyconnell, he said the power supply and poles for cameras are already in place.

“One thing that held that back was GDPR,” he noted, and predicted how they will be of “huge benefit”.

Cllr TP O’Reilly (FG) commented it is “great to see this finally moving forward” while Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF) also welcomed the news.

In light of councillors welcome, Supt Callanan stressed “this is draft legislation” and encouraged those gathered to revise the draft code of practice which is available on An Garda Síochána’s website.

Cllr Feeley surmised: “It’s not just there yet but it’s certainly going in the right direction”, particularly given the “issue of ownership seems to be addressed”.