Galway Bay fm newsroom - It's been confirmed that the use of undercover CCTV cameras to catch illegal dumpers across Galway will not be permitted in the future.
County Councillors were told this week, that legislation being prepared in the Dáil and Seanad will not allow for the use of hidden cameras.
Illegal dumping is a source of continuous complaints from the public and the use of CCTV cameras was seen as one of the most effective ways to combat this practice.
However, due to GDPR rules regarding citizens’ right to privacy, the use of cameras had to be abandoned by local authorities, Galway County Council included.
New legislation is aimed at regulating the use of cameras but Director of Services in Galway County Council, Eileen Ruane said this week that covert or hidden cameras will not be allowed.
Eileen Ruane said such cameras – often hidden on bog roads or other notorious dumping locations – were a very effective means of dealing with large-scale dumping but that they will not be returning.
However, there are indications that the static cameras close to rubbish bins will be re-introduced. The Director of Services told Councillor Evelyn Parson that she would seek clarification on the use of drone pictures.
Eileen Ruane said that the Council team dealing with dumping on a continuous basis is now increased to four staff members.
