Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the use of cameras to manage and monitor traffic, I understand the authorities have to be given the clearance to do that. Does the term “fixed system” apply to the CCTV cameras that are used in buses in order to keep bus lanes clear? I completely understand the issue around data protection. However, as a cyclist, I have experienced close passes and while I do not have a camera on my helmet, many cyclists do. There is the ability to upload and send those data to the Garda or whoever it might be. We all frequently witness very poor traffic management and behaviour in our towns and villages, such as illegal parking on footpaths and in disability bays. Do we have the opportunity here to expand the use of cameras for managing and monitoring traffic to allow citizens who observe traffic offences to upload this to the Garda? I understand the photograph itself may not be an admissible piece of evidence in order to take a prosecution but it will allow the Garda to build up a pattern, for example, if they are getting 40 photographs a week of illegal parking in a certain area. While the photograph itself may not be used directly, the accumulation of photographs kept by the Garda would inform it of traffic offences that are happening regularly. I believe many people would like to be able to report those types of traffic offences.