Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 51:

In page 20, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following:

“(c) state the precise technological and software specifications of the cameras to be used,”.

I believe that this Bill needs more discussion on Report Stage. Moving on to amendments Nos. 51, 52, 54 and 55, they are really simple and would require gardaí, when setting up CCTV schemes, to provide clear information about the kind of cameras being used and to inform affected members of the public of their privacy rights in relation to CCTV. Amendments Nos. 54 and 55 would require local authorities, when setting up CCTV schemes, to provide the information to the relevant communities. I get it, and again, I am going to talk about the halting site in Ballyfermot that I come from. Since I was a child, the local authority has recorded CCTV footage on the site. People can feel intimidated and insecure. There is a camera at the very end of the site and one at the top of the site. It does not serve a purpose, because if you go to the council about dumping or if there is an incident and you contact the Garda about it, the matter is not dealt with. The community was not even consulted around the use of these cameras. I am just providing an example. Obviously, I get that it is not about any area in particular, but I am just giving an example of that area in Ballyfermot and how people feel. I think that we need to have further discussions going forward before the Bill completes Report Stage. I thank the Minister for being here today and for listening to our amendments. It should also be noted that the amendments did not come from Senator Ruane or I personally, because we are safe. We are okay. They are for the wider community, working class people and those who are overpoliced. It is probably the third or fourth time I am saying it, but for the record, it is not about being anti-Garda. It is the abuse of power that we really need to consider today, and how the ordinary person living in these areas that are overpoliced and over-monitored by CCTV footage feels. I thank the Minister for her time today.