Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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292. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the implementation of automatic numberplate recognition CCTV will be completed nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7024/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the implementation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and the roll out of the new regime for CCTV. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The Programme For Government commits to expand the number of cameras using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to fight serious and organised crime, as provided for by the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023.

The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 allows Garda access to ANPR data gathered by other bodies, thereby assisting Gardaí in crime investigation. It provides for the automatic transfer of ANPR records from designated third parties, subject to a data sharing agreement, on an ongoing basis and provides An Garda Síochána with the power to process those records. Initially, these designated third parties will be the Dublin Port Company, the National Roads Authority and Dublin Airport Authority PLC, all bodies with extensive ANPR camera networks already in place.

Separately from ANPR, Part 5 of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV.

In order to implement the expansion of the use of ANPR, Part 3 of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 must be commenced. In order to introduce the new regime for CCTV, Part 5 of that Act must be commenced.

There is also a requirement for the Garda Commissioner to develop Codes of Practice for ANPR and CCTV which will set out the procedures and standards to be followed, as well as the new rules around confidentiality, security, storage, access and retention of data and data subject rights. I am advised that officials in my Department are engaging with An Garda Síochána to progress this matter.