Local Councillors Shirley O’Hara and Baby Pereppadan received huge support for their joint motion calling for the use of CCTV cameras to tackle littering and illegal dumping. “Litter is becoming a bigger and bigger issue locally. We are seeing more litter in our public spaces like our parks and, unfortunately, an increase in illegal dumping and fly-tipping in certain areas including rural roads where people feel they can get away with it easier. Utilising CCTV, or indeed drones, would be a huge help when it comes to deterring littering as well as identifying the culprits,” explained Cllr. Shirley O’Hara who represents Rathcoole, Saggart, Newcastle and Clondalkin on the Council.
Tallaght Councillor, Baby Pereppadan, agreed saying that, “litter is an ongoing issue in Tallaght and we really need to look at innovative ways of tackling it. That’s why Cllr. O’Hara and I have called on Minister Eamonn Ryan to change the law around tackling litter to allow Council’s like South Dublin, use CCTV to deter and prosecute people who are littering.”
In response to their motion the Council’s Director of Environment said that The Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) is currently auditing Local Authorities including South Dublin County Council in respect of their use of CCTV, including uses related to Law Enforcement. The DPC issued a Draft Inquiry Report to the Council setting out issues and provisional views based on their inquiries, including several related to Litter and Waste Enforcement matters. SDCC has issued a comprehensive response to the matters raised and awaits the final report.
Both Councillors Shirley O’Hara and Baby Pereppadan welcomed the report from the Council and agreed that it was great to hear that this would mean a further strengthening of the legal basis. Legislation is due before the Houses of the Oireachtas in the Autumn. In the meantime, on foot of the motion, a letter has issued to Minister Eamonn Ryan, urging for this legislation to be enacted as soon as possible.
