Locations for CCTV at Laois dumping blackspots to be selected by summer  

LOCATIONS for CCTV cameras to fight illegal dumping across the county are expected to be selected this summer.

A mountain of red tape must be cleared by Laois County Council, before the long-awaited CCTV system can come into operation at local dumping blackspots.

After years of delays over legal constraints, the council is currently preparing documents needed to comply with ‘onerous requirements’ involved in operating the cameras.

The council aims to have consents in place by the end of June, when locations will be selected and brought before a CCTV oversight board for approval.

The update was given to Stradbally councillor Vivienne Phelan, at the December meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District.

Cllr Phelan asked for an update on “the possibility and practicality” of installing CCTV at dumping blackspots, including areas such as the Athy Road and the Timahoe Road in Stradbally, the Portlaoise Road in Ballybrittas and around the bottle bank in Killenard.

Cllr Phelan said: “The litter wardens and the environment team are doing a great job but there are a few blackspots where CCTV would help. It is frustrating for residents and volunteers to constantly have to report illegal dumping.” 

A response from senior council engineer Adrian Barrett gave a glimpse of the extensive requirements involved, before the CCTV system can be used to prosecute dumpers.

Detailed documents that must be prepared first include Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs). The documents cover a wide range of issues, from the restriction of access to the CCTV control room to decisions on who can access footage.

Mr Barrett’s written response said: ‘The Waste Enforcement Section are working preparing the relevant documents (DPIA/SOPs, business case) that are required to enable the use of CCTV and to comply fully with the onerous requirements set out in the code of practice.

‘They are working on having the necessary consents in place for the end of Q2 (March-June) 2025, at which time locations will be selected and be brought before the CCTV oversight board for approval.’ 

Cllr Aidan Mullins welcomed the fact that a code of practice is finally in place, which he described as positive news after all the delays. He said that, when it is finally in operation, the CCTV system will be a great deterrent against dumping.