GDPR now an issue with CCTV system

AN EXTENSIVE review of the county’s CCTV system has been carried out and a report is awaited, according to county secretary Pat Collins.

Mr Collins told the recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee that the CCTV network was made up of public and private cameras but he said that General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was becoming a major factor in the process, pointing out that a lot more emphasis was being put on the where and, subsequently, the why, of placing a camera in a certain place.

He said you had to be able to say why places needed CCTV at all, adding that they would look at a plan for CCTV once the Data Commissioner’s report had come back.

‘There are a number of points to consider, not least of all, the financial side of things.’

Superintendent Jim Doyle said that the gardai were using CCTV very well, saying that they had plenty of evidence, throughout the county, that it was the way forward.

Mr Collins pointed out that CCTV cameras were expensive, up to €2,000 with installation and bandwidth supply. He added that Enniscorthy was the least advanced in terms of CCTV and that it was a priority for any future upgrades. Anything after that would depend on funding, he said.

Cllr Anthony Connick referred to areas in New Ross where he felt that CCTV should be installed: ‘We can’t just say that it all goes to Enniscorthy and leave the rest out.’

Committee chairman Cllr Michael Whelan pointed out that there was no access to CCTV feeds in Enniscorthy Garda Station and Mr Collins said that Enniscorthy was prioritised because it was lagging behind.

Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan was delighted to see that Enniscorthy had been prioritised and wondered about cameras in rural areas. She was told that the bandwidth was a big factor when it came to the cameras transmitting back to a source, and that made rural cameras a particular challenge.

Cllr Davy Hynes was pragmatic in his consideration that there would never be enough cameras to service all of the problematic areas that arose. He wondered about the scope for mobile cameras.

Cllr George Lawlor wondered if the town cameras were all functioning and had acceptable bandwidth. He agreed with Cllr Hynes saying that Community and Housing section had used mobile cameras to very successfully tackle a particular issue.

Mr Collins said they were dealing with bandwidth issues for a few newer cameras, saying it was a question of funding and that figures would be available shortly. He expected it would cost in the region of €20,000.

Cllr Robbie Ireton was incredulous in his observation of the number of cameras in certain locations. He pointed out that Courtown, the fifth biggest town in Wexford, might have six by the time new ones were installed, but he was aghast to learn that Kilmore Quay had 16.

Mr Collins replied that Kilmore Quay had cameras as part of the harbour, something which Cllr Ireton pointed out they had in Courtown as well, despite not being able to use it.

‘It’s hard to believe that we will be lucky to have six cameras and a small ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ village has 16!’

Director of Services John Carley pointed out that Kilmore Quay was the third largest fishing port in the country, with a number of fish factories in the vicinity.

The cameras, he said, were helping to protect those resources. He added that many of the people in the room had not been involved when a lot of those cameras were installed.

Chief Supt Patrick McMenamin said there were great advantages in having CCTV, saying it was essential to their work. He said he would support any increase in such facilities.

Cllr Ireton asked if anyone monitored the CCTV cameras they did have on a 24/7 basis and was told no as it would be an expensive undertaking.

‘I think it would pay for itself,’ said Cllr Ireton, pointing out that dog fouling and littering were two huge issues that could be addressed by monitoring. He said they had a means of tackling those two issues that would result in cleaner towns, and fines for such offences that would cover the cost of the CCTV network. He asked if a camera could, legally, be placed in a hotspot of activity.

Mr Collins said they were legally allowed to place a camera in such places but they had to have a proper purpose and couldn’t be there for a prolonged period.

‘We can’t have cameras everywhere,’ he said.