Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I note the Senator's point about the CCTV footage from the Dublin riots. He is correct in stating that it was very helpful to An Garda Síochána in seeking to identify and prosecute individuals involved in the riots.

I am aware of the confusion that can sometimes exist around the process for local authorities to apply. The Senator will be aware that I commenced the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 last week. Under this Act, provision is made for the establishment of local community safety partnerships. These partnerships will include elected councillors and individuals from a locality. I hope they will have a significant say when it comes recommending to local authorities that requests for CCTV schemes in various areas should be submitted.

A key principle of the report by the Commission on the Future of Policing is that community safety requires multi-agency co-operation and that the agencies involved need to work in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. The report recommended the establishment of national and local structures to bring together Departments and State agencies involved in harm prevention in order to promote local community safety. That is why residents, local authority staff, councillors and members of An Garda Síochána will all be represented on these community safety partnerships. They will be best placed to know how CCTV can be appropriately utilised in their areas. The expertise really lies at a local level.

Some 36 partnerships will be established under the legislation. These will be based in each local authority area. Each local community safety partnership will be supported by a full-time co-ordinator and a full-time administrator, resourced by the Department of Justice and will be led by a voluntary chair. Regulations are being made under section 114 of the Act to provide for the establishment and operation of the partnerships as soon as possible. They will be the appropriate forum for people to use to request the provision of CCTV cameras.