Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Oct 1997

Vol. 482 No. 2

Written Answers - Garda Traffic Corps.

Ivor Callely

Question:

93 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total investment to date in 1997 in the Garda traffic corps; if he will outline the likely developments over the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17516/97]

Ivor Callely

Question:

94 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of personnel, motor vehicles and supports in the Garda traffic corps; and if he will give a breakdown of such supports and their functions. [17517/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total approximate value of vehicles issued to the traffic corps this year is £350,000. Specialist equipment to the approximate value of £140,000 has also been purchased to date this year.

The question of the purchase of additional equipment is being actively considered by the Garda authorities.

The numbers of personnel and motor vehicles in the traffic corps throughout the State are set out in the following tabular statments:

Superintendent	Inspector	Sergeant	Gardaí
1	11	44	307

Vans	Cars	GATSO	Jeeps	Tow Trucks	Motorcycles
4	67	1	4	9	37

The traffic corps is equipped with a range of speed detection equipment i.e., in-car videos which are designed to film and record speeds, hand-held radar guns, and the GATSO unit. The GATSO is a radar, speed, video, and computer system which is designed to detect large numbers of speeding vehicles at any one time.