An Garda Síochána is inviting the public to have its say on proposed rules governing Garda access to live CCTV feeds operated by businesses, organisations and private individuals.
Third-party live CCTV feeds allow Garda personnel to view footage from camera systems that are not owned or operated by An Garda Síochána. Such systems are already widely used across Ireland, and demand for Garda access has increased in response to drug-related crime, vehicle and property offences, and public-order incidents.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 provides the legal framework for processing third-party CCTV through a live feed. It also requires the introduction of a Code of Practice containing more detailed rules and safeguards for its operation.
The proposed Code is intended to clarify when live access may be used, how it should be authorised and managed, and what protections should apply to members of the public.
As part of this consultation, the Garda Commissioner must also seek the views of several public bodies, including the Data Protection Commission, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Policing and Community Safety Authority and Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman.
According to the official Garda consultation page, a Human Rights Impact Assessment has already been conducted. A Data Protection Impact Assessment will also be completed before the Code can be considered by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Potential benefits
Live CCTV access could help Gardaí respond more quickly to crimes and public-safety incidents. Officers may be able to follow a developing situation, identify suspects or vehicles and direct resources to the right location without waiting for recorded footage to be retrieved.
It could also support the investigation and prosecution of offences by helping Gardaí establish timelines, identify witnesses and preserve relevant evidence. In busy public areas, live feeds may assist with crowd safety, missing-person searches and serious public-order incidents.
A clear national Code of Practice could also produce greater consistency. Garda personnel, CCTV operators and members of the public would have a clearer understanding of when access is permitted and what safeguards must be followed.
Potential concerns
The main concern is privacy. People captured on CCTV may not be suspected of any offence, yet their movements and behaviour could still be observed by Garda personnel. Live access is potentially more intrusive than requesting recorded footage after a specific incident.
There is also a risk of “function creep”, where a system introduced for serious or clearly defined policing purposes gradually becomes used more routinely or for broader forms of monitoring.
Security and accountability must therefore be central to the final Code. It should clearly address who may access a feed, the circumstances in which access is allowed, how decisions are recorded and reviewed, and what happens if the system is misused.
Other important questions include how long information may be retained, whether individuals will be informed that a system can be accessed by Gardaí, and how private operators will be required to protect footage from unauthorised access or cyberattack.
Conclusion
Third-party live CCTV feeds could provide Gardaí with a valuable tool for preventing crime, responding to emergencies and gathering evidence. However, their usefulness does not remove the need to protect privacy, human rights and personal data.
The final Code of Practice should permit targeted and proportionate access for legitimate policing purposes while imposing firm limits, detailed audit requirements, strong data-security measures and meaningful independent oversight. Public confidence will depend on people knowing not only that CCTV can help keep communities safe, but also that access will be justified, controlled and accountable.
Members of the public can review the draft Code and submit their observations through the Garda consultation page. The consultation closes on 14 September 2026.
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