James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

144. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the circular economy Bill particularly in relation to local authority use of CCTV to deter illegal dumping and fly-tipping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23736/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The introduction of a Waste Management (Circular Economy) Bill is a commitment under the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in September 2020. My Department is currently finalising the draft Heads of the Bill after which I intend to seek Government approval to publish the General Scheme. On the issue of CCTV, it is the view of the Data Protection Commission (DPC) that, although the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act provide Councils with powers to prevent, investigate, detect and prosecute littering and dumping offences, the Acts do not provide for processing of images of members of the public using CCTV footage. This advice is being considered by my Department and is subject to internal legal advice.

It is also my intention to facilitate the use of a range of Audio Visual Recording equipment, including CCTV, under the Bill. A combination of legislation and guidance should help to ensure that the processing of personal data may be carried out by local authorities tasked with enforcing litter and waste law, providing a deterrent, and in order to protect our environment from the scourge of illegal dumping, while at the same time respecting the privacy rights of citizens.