'Complex' issues delaying CCTV use against illegal Laois dumping

Despite ongoing issues with illegal littering in the county, Laois County Council still can’t legally erect cameras to tackle the dumpers. 

The issue was raised by Sinn Fein Deputy Brian Stanley at the last Laois Joint Policing Committee meeting in Portlaoise in March. 

During the meeting, he requested a letter be sent from the committee to the Minister of Environment, Eamon Ryan requesting urgent action on the issue. His request was seconded by Independent Cllr Aisling Moran and a letter was sent. 

Now, a Private Secretary to the Minister of State for the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan, Delivery and Reform, Ossian Smyth has written a letter of response ahead of the June meeting of the Joint Policing Committee. 

It sets out the complex and likely time consuming process necessary before any local authorities will be legally able to erect CCTV for use against illegal dumping. 

The Secretary explains that the Local Government Management Agency(LGMA) has to prepare and submit draft Codes of Practice setting out the standards for using CCTV  against illegal dumping. The codes need to be approved by the Minister for the Environment. 

“The LGMA are currently working on the preparation of these Codes of Practice. This is a complex process and requires consultation with, inter alia, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Justice and the Data Protection Commission,” the Secretary explained.  

“Separate Codes of Practice are required for the operation of CCTV schemes under both the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act, while a further Code of Practice is required for the use of "mobile recording devices" under the Waste Management Act. Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) must also be carried out as part of this process. The timeframe for completion of this process is a matter for the Local Government Management Agency,” he stated. 

“Following approval by the Minister, the Codes of Practice must then be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas by the LGMA and published on a website maintained by or on behalf of the Minister or the Government,” the Secretary explained. 

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“Local authorities will be in a position to initiate litter and waste enforcement measures involving the GDPR compliant use of technologies such as CCTV when this process is complete. It should be noted that no further secondary legislation is required,” the Secretary concluded.