Shannon Town Park CCTV and COP30 treaty
Donna McGettigan asked when Part 5 of the CCTV law will commence so Shannon Town Park cameras can operate. Roderic O'Gorman then sought support for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty and engagement with Vanuatu; the Taoiseach said he would speak to the justice minister on CCTV but saw little prospect of the treaty soon.
-----I am proposing to give 30 seconds each to Deputies O'Gorman and McGettigan to ask a question.
Comment on this
A number of constituents have raised concerns with me about the CCTV camera system in Shannon Town Park. Despite a number of antisocial behaviour incidents, the cameras are not operational. Under Part 5 of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act, which was signed into law in 2023, a code of practice for CCTV was to be drawn up. Almost two years later, however, the code has not been drawn up and Part 5 of the Act has not commenced. Will the Minister for justice, Deputy O’Callaghan, speed up the commencement of Part 5 of the Act? When did he last liaise with the Garda Commissioner on this and when does he plan to do so again? Can we be assured that the Part 5 will be commenced urgently when the code of practice is drawn up?
Comment on this
There is general agreement that the outcome of COP30 was disappointing, in particular the failure to mention the transition away from fossil fuels. Last July, I met the climate minister of Vanuatu. Vanuatu is a small pacific island nation whose very existence is at risk from climate change. It is looking to generate------
Comment on this
-----support for an international fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty. We will hold the Presidency of the EU next year when COP31 takes place.
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach ask his officials to look seriously at this fossil fuel treaty and engage with Vanuatu to see if the EU can offer the proposed support at COP31?
Comment on this
First, I will say to Deputy McGettigan that I will talk to the Minister for justice, Deputy O'Callaghan, about Part 5 of the Act in respect of the code of practice for CCTV cameras.
With regard to Deputy O'Gorman's question, that emerged at the last COP in a very rushed way. We have to apply our resources to where we are going to get yield. I cannot see any prospect of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty happening in the immediate future. It was disappointing that consensus was not arrived at. The number of leaders who attended was a concern. There was a reduction in the number of world leaders who attended the COP. I said in my speech that I feel there is a weakening of resolve. We will reflect and review this but I think we should-----