2634. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the proposals there are to roll out new CCTV schemes in Cavan and Monaghan in view of the value of these schemes in strengthening local crime prevention and community safety. [63966/26]

Community safety is a top priority for my Department and everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their communities. CCTV in public places has a role in giving people a greater sense of security. It can also be effective in deterring criminal activity and antisocial behaviour and assists with the investigation of crime.

The consideration and operation of CCTV by local authorities is a matter for the local authority concerned. As Minister, I have no role in relation to local authorities and updates on the rollout of individual community CCTV schemes should be sought from the relevant local authority.

Local authorities work closely with An Garda Síochána in relation to CCTV schemes. The Garda National Community Engagement Bureau offer support and assistance in relation to all applications and processes. Each application is evaluated on the principles of necessity, proportionality and legality to ensure the CCTV application meets necessary human rights and privacy standards. All applications must be presented to the CCTV Advisory Committee and the need for each camera justified.

The Deputy may wish to note that the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides for a new regime for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes, allowing for a member of Garda personnel or a Local Authority to apply in writing to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána for an authorisation of CCTV. Pending the commencement of part 5 of the Act and the introduction of new arrangements, no new applications are being accepted.

Prior to commencement, an amendment to section 7 of the Act that provides for transitional arrangements for existing CCTV applications, was also required. That amendment was included in the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Act 2026 which was signed into law by the President on 16 July 2026.

The Commencement and Ministerial Orders are currently with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) for drafting and I expect that the new CCTV provisions set out in Part 5 will be commenced at the end of the month.

It should also be noted that under the Act there is a requirement for the Garda Commissioner to develop a Code of Practice for CCTV which will set out the procedures to be followed. As part of developing this new Code of Practice, An Garda Síochána consulted with the bodies listed in Part 8 of the Act and conducted a public consultation for any views or observations on the draft Code of Practice. The completion of the draft Code of Practice is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and I am unable to provide any timelines associated with the completion of this work by An Garda Síochána.