Mattie McGrath says GDPR blocks CCTV access in Tipperary
Mattie McGrath spoke on 17 Dec 2019 about GDPR preventing Garda access to council-funded CCTV in Tipperary towns, including Clonmel and Fillard, and called for immediate amendment so Gardaí can use footage without county council permission. He argued the rule undermines street security and urged the Taoiseach and the Minister of Justice to act at once.
Issue raised
McGrath said the GDPR has had a direct, damaging effect on crime prevention. He told the chamber that CCTV cameras funded and operating in towns are inaccessible to frontline officers, describing the situation as undermining efforts to tackle violence and criminality on the streets.
Local examples
He cited Tipperary, naming Clonmel Town and Fillard among "many other towns" where state-of-the-art funding has been approved but Garda access to footage is blocked. McGrath referenced information from a Chief Superintendent who told him that "Gadi cannot access this vital piece of the battle against crime."
Call for legislative change
McGrath called on the Taoiseach and the Minister of Justice to amend the legislation immediately. He said the change should ensure that Gadi Street Corner can walk in, access and use footage, place it in the station and use it without first obtaining the permission of the County Council.
Minister's response
The minister responded that he did not accept there are insurmountable obstacles and acknowledged that conditions and regulations apply. He said he had approved some schemes recently and offered to speak with McGrath to "iron out any confusion," but he stated he had no intention of introducing or amending legislation at that time.
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Teachta and Minister of Justice, I'm glad you're here. The GDPR has just gone stark raving mad, with situations in Tipperary, in Clonmel Town and Fillard and many other towns who have state-of-the-art funding approved and in Clonmel working in Fillard for CCTV cameras. Very effective tool in protecting crime. Now we were told by our Chief Superintendent last week that Gadi cannot access this vital piece of the battle against crime and criminals of all, vagabonds of all sorts and violence on our streets. And this is practical. I want you, Taoiseach, and the Minister of Justice to amend the legislation immediately to ensure that Gadi Street Corner can walk in and access and use that, to have it in the station, use that without getting the permission of the County Council. They'll be off for 10 days of Christmas. It's a joke that GDPR can have an effect like this on the security of our state and our people. That's the way the whole Minister can shake your head. We've got the question. We've got the question. Minister Flanagan. I don't accept what the Deputy has said in that there are insurmountable obstacles to the scheme. Of course there are a number of conditions. Of course there are regulations. Only yesterday I approved some schemes around the country. I would happily speak to Deputy McGrath in order to iron out any confusion that his group have. But I've no intention of introducing and amending legislation. I will give you a question. I may go on to ask the question. I'm sure you are. I'm sorry, but I will not see you. I will use that question. I will introduce you, as a bit of the governor. Now I will ask for you. I will ask for you if you want to discuss how this is for you. I will put up here. If you are asking yourself for some of the details of the people that you can look up on in here. Well, you will ask for you. You are asking yourself for me?
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