Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1045. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if local authorities can be data collectors for CCTV footage used for crime prevention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33864/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, community-based CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must:

- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee;

- have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller in accordance with SI 289 of 2006; and

- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.

This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of how they are funded and these key legal requirements have not changed since 2006. The option to establish a Community CCTV scheme is available to groups that meet these legal requirements, anywhere in the country. As part of the application process the Local Authority must provide assurance that they will act in the data controller role.

The Deputy will be aware that the new Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits the Government to reviewing the legal and organisational framework governing community CCTV. To that end, I am progressing a range of new Bills relating to Garda governance and policing powers. It is my intention to repeal the provisions currently contained in Section 38 of the 2005 Act, and to replace them with provisions in the Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill. I hope to bring the general scheme of that Bill to Government for approval very soon.