New law needed to ramp up CCTV in Dublin – Geoghegan

Expanding CCTV use across Dublin is being proposed in a new law by a Fine Gael TD.

Deputy James Geoghegan said current rules are preventing Gardaí from effectively deploying CCTV in areas where it is most needed.

The Dublin Bay South TD has now called on the Minister for Justice to introduce new legislation to significantly expand and streamline the use of CCTV across Dublin.

“We need to make it easier for Gardaí to access CCTV footage and to install cameras in the locations where they will have the greatest impact,” he said.

“At present, there are just 209 Garda-operated CCTV cameras across the Dublin Metropolitan Area, with no increase since April 2025. That equates to roughly one camera for every 6,000 people.

“If Gardaí want to install a camera in a railway station or a park, they face unnecessary bureaucracy. That is a waste of Garda time,” he said.

Deputy Geoghegan said the system is particularly failing in areas experiencing persistent anti-social behaviour and crime.

“It is far too difficult to install CCTV in locations with recurring patterns of intimidation and criminal activity. That has to change.”

Fine Gael is today launching a national survey to better understand people’s views on CCTV and is asking people to identify local areas where the inclusion of CCTV may make their community safer. The survey is available online at https://www.finegael.ie/cctv-survey/

Deputy Geoghegan has also introduced a Private Members’ Bill, co-sponsored by Fine Gael colleagues, which would create a new legal designation of “Crime Prevention Zones.

The Bill will be lodged with the Bills Office tomorrow.

Under the proposed law, where the Garda Commissioner identifies an area as having persistent crime issues, public bodies would be required to facilitate the installation of Garda-operated CCTV.

Deputy Geoghegan continued, “This is a targeted, common-sense approach. It will allow Gardaí to act quickly in problem areas without undermining people’s privacy,” he said.

Deputy Geoghegan also pointed to what he described as a lack of urgency in current CCTV investment and rollout.

“Since 2017, less than €1m has been allocated nationally for community CCTV schemes, covering just 36 projects. There has been no funding at all allocated in 2025 or 2026 to date, and the Department cannot say how many cameras have actually been installed from that funding.”

He said this lack of data and investment highlights the need for a more strategic approach.

“We are spending public money without even tracking how many cameras are being delivered. That points to a system that is not working as it should.”

Deputy Geoghegan pointed to the wider benefits of CCTV, both as a deterrent and as reassurance for communities.

“There are too many cases of playgrounds being burned, drugs being dealt openly, and public spaces being degraded. CCTV is not a silver bullet, but it can play a significant role in preventing crime and supporting prosecutions.”

He also highlighted the contrast between increased Garda recruitment and stagnant CCTV infrastructure.

“More than 11,000 people applied to join An Garda Síochána in 2025, with almost 600 new Gardaí attested and over 600 civilian staff recruited in 2024. Yet there has been no increase in Garda-operated CCTV cameras in Dublin in recent years, despite the clear need.

“While new legislation governing CCTV is expected to come into effect later this year, and a Garda CCTV strategy is in development, there is still no clear timeline for delivery or expansion on the ground.”

“If we want safer public spaces in Dublin, we need to give Gardaí the tools to do their job. The Minister should adopt this legislation,” Deputy Geoghegan said.