James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I stated, there are no community CCTV schemes in Westmeath or Roscommon, but if the Deputy is aware of groups that wish to avail of the grant aid scheme, further details, as I said, are available on the website.

With CCTV schemes come data protection challenges. The schemes have to be done very carefully and legally. The Garda Síochána (digital recording) Bill, the general scheme of which was published in April, will enable my Department to address the important data controller concerns that have been raised by the Data Protection Commissioner. That Bill is at pre-legislative scrutiny stage with the justice committee, and I have no doubt but that the committee will advance the scheme as quickly as possible. When we move the scheme forward, it will bring new changes, including a requirement that the Garda Commissioner develop a code of practice for CCTV, which will set out the procedures and standards to be followed and the new rules relating to confidentiality, security, storage, access and retention of data and data subject rights.

We are very much of the view that CCTV schemes form an important part of detection and protection of our communities, but they must be done in a manner that is appropriate and legal.

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