Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad that both the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice and Equality are here. The implementation of the general data protection regulation, GDPR, has gone stark raving mad. There are situations in Tipperary, in Clonmel town, Fethard, and many other towns which have funding approved for, or in some cases have, state-of-the-art for CCTV cameras. It is a very effective tool in protecting against crime. Our chief superintendent told us last week that the Garda cannot access this vital piece in the battle against crime and vagabonds of all sorts and against violence on our streets. This is farcical. I want the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice and Equality to amend the legislation immediately to ensure that An Garda Síochána can walk in and access the footage and use it without getting the permission of the county council. The council will be off for ten days at Christmas. It is a joke that GDPR can have such an effect on the security of our State and our people. The Minister is shaking his head but that is what we have been told.

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