Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. At the outset, I wish to state that I appreciate and understand that responsibility for the particular area of CCTV falls under the remit of the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee. With that in mind, there is one line of the response from the Minister of State that, unfortunately, stands out like a sore thumb, namely, "I understand that the application process in respect of Monaghan town and Carrickmacross is still ongoing." With respect, the process has been ongoing since 2017. Clearly, people's frustration with the delay in the scheme has gone beyond the beyond. The message I ask the Minister of State to bring back to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, with respect, is that this particular scheme, warranted as it is, is simply not functioning properly. It is an insult to the people and communities on the ground who are trying to make themselves safe by having CCTV that we are sitting here discussing an application process for Monaghan town that dates back to 2017. Clearly, it is not working. I would like the Minister to acknowledge that it is not working and to do something progressive to move the situation forward in order that the people in the many towns listed in the Minister of State's response can look forward to the sense of security of knowing that when they walk down the street at night, if there are no gardaí on the beat, as per the previous Commencement matter, at least there is CCTV in place that might help to prevent crime and to assist in the investigation of crime thereafter.