Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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212. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will introduce legislation to allow local authorities to use CCTV and drone footage to prosecute illegal dumpers; if GDPR issues arise in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26206/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 local authorities 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 and drones, 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 in order to assist with their litter and waste enforcement functions in order to protect our environment from the scourge of illegal dumping, while at the same time respecting the privacy rights of citizens.