Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 299: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, as part of the provision of a new Garda station in Ballymun, planning for closed circuit television is being progressed in order that there will not be a time delay between the provision of the Garda station and the provision of CCTV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28961/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the deployment of personnel and resources, that no formal application for a Garda CCTV system in Ballymun has been received by the CCTV Advisory Committee. All applications for Garda CCTV Systems must be made to the CCTV Advisory Committee by the local Garda Divisional Officer. The CCTV Advisory Committee was established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on all matters related to the use of CCTV as an aid to policing and to assess applications for Garda CCTV systems.

Applications for Garda CCTV systems are assessed by the Advisory Committee on the basis of Garda operational needs and take into account the following criteria: crime/public order statistics in the area; population and level of activity there; the recommendation of local Garda management; any special circumstances/needs that exist; the likely impact of a Garda CCTV system on the area.

I am further informed that Dublin City Council fund a CCTV system in the Ballymun area which is managed by Con-Sec Ltd. Gardaí in Ballymun Garda Station can view a number of the cameras in this CCTV system from three screens located within the Station.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 300: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, as part of the provision of a new Garda station in Finglas, Dublin 11, planning for closed circuit television is being progressed in order that there will not be a time delay between the provision of the Garda station and the provision of CCTV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28962/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the required infrastructure for the provision of monitoring facilities for the Garda CCTV system has been incorporated into design drawing for the new Garda Station in Finglas. As the Deputy is aware, a key issue to be addressed in the installation of the Finglas Town Centre CCTV system is the provision of suitable accommodation to house the monitoring equipment. It was initially hoped that this could be accommodated in Finglas Garda station. However, this station is not of an acceptable standard and I have already stated that immediate priority is being given to providing a new Garda station there.

I am advised that the Office of Public Works are currently in negotiations with the owners of a premises with a view to leasing the necessary accommodation for the monitoring of the CCTV cameras in Finglas until such time as the proposed new Station is built.