Vol. 263 No. 10
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state in regard to the Garda traffic corps (a) its strength (b) the nature of its training (c) the method of selection and appointment (d) the cost and the nature of the extra equipment (e) the total estimated cost (f) its duties and (g) the stations to which its members will be attached.
146.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement with regard to the Garda unit to deal with aspects of road traffic and road safety.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.
The corps, which will concentrate on enforcement of traffic laws and accidents prevention, will consist of 120 gardaí in addition to the 54 members of the force who are at present engaged full-time on road traffic duties. Its members will be selected mainly from gardaí who volunteer for this work. Appropriate training will be provided but the precise nature of the training is of course a matter for the Commissioner.
The distribution of the corps throughout the country has not been finally decided but it may be taken that its members will be stationed so as to give maximum coverage to the main traffic arteries.
It could be misleading to refer to the cost in this context as the duties on which members of the corps will be engaged are normal police duties and what is involved here is basically a redeployment of members of the force to specialised duties. The pay and allowances of the gardaí concerned are those applicable in the force generally. The initial cost of the extra equipment is about £60,000.
