Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1264. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when part 5 of the Garda Síochána (Digital Recording Devices) Act, 2023, concerning authorisation for installation and operation of CCTV for the prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime will be commenced; when the required statutory code of practice for public CCTV schemes will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58050/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their communities. Community CCTV plays an important role in achieving this goal.

The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023, which was signed into law in December 2023, provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes. In order to introduce the new regime for CCTV, Part 5 of that Act must be commenced.

There is a new requirement under that Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for 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 by the Garda authorities that work is ongoing with respect to the development of this Code of Practice.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána are currently working on a new CCTV Strategy which will outline how CCTV infrastructure utilised by Gardaí can be modernised and integrated with other CCTV infrastructure throughout the State. It is hoped that implementation of a modernised CCTV platform for An Garda Síochána can commence in 2026.