John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 479: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the closed circuit television cameras promised to residents in Upper Erne Street have been installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35246/05]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 480: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the closed circuit television cameras promised to residents in New Street Gardens will be installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35247/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 479 and 480 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that 69 Garda CCTV cameras currently provide coverage of areas of high usage in Dublin city centre. It is proposed to extend Garda CCTV coverage of Dublin city centre into the Camden Street, Temple Bar and Pearse Street areas by installing a further 9 CCTV cameras in the coming weeks, as follows:

1. Cuffe Street/ Wexford Street;

2. Camden Street Lower/ Camden Place/ Pleasants Street;

3. Camden Street (on the island in front of the "Bleeding Horse" public house);

4. Harcourt Street/ Upper Hatch Street;

5. Merrion Street Lower/ Merrion Square;

6. Pearse Street/ Upper Erne Street;

7. Cows Lane / Lord Edward Street;

8. Fishamble Street / Essex Street;

9. Eustace Street / Wellington Quay.

I am advised that the CCTV camera to be installed at Pearse Street/Erne Street will be located on a traffic island at the junction of Pearse Street where it intersects with Erne Street Upper and Erne Street Lower. I am informed by the Garda authorities that all applications for Garda CCTV systems must be prepared in co-operation with the local Garda district and divisional officers and must receive their full support. The application is then considered by the CCTV advisory committee which makes a recommendation, through the Garda Commissioner, to myself. This committee was established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on all matters related to CCTV. Applications are assessed by the committee on the basis of Garda operational needs against the following objective criteria: crime-public order statistics in an area; population and level of activity there; the recommendation of local Garda management; any special circumstances or needs that exist; and the likely impact of a Garda CCTV system on the area.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that no application for the installation of Garda CCTV cameras in the immediate vicinity of New Street Gardens has been received by the CCTV advisory committee to date.