Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 1

Written Answers. - Road Traffic Offences.

Tom Enright

Question:

288 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total number of mobile traffic camera units available to the Garda Síochána for the control of speeding on roads in each of the years 1995, 1996,1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000; and if he has satisfied himself that sufficient resources are available to the Garda Síochána to control speeding on our roads. [6397/01]

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

I am informed by the Garda that the details sought by the Deputy are set out in the following tabular statement.

Year	Number of Mobile Speed DetectionUnits acquired
1995	1
1996	–
1997	1
1998	3
1999	1
2000	–
Total	6

The purchase by the Garda of a further mobile unit has been sanctioned by my Department and the Garda expect to complete the purchase of it shortly. In addition to mobile speed detection units the Garda possess a wide range of speed detection equipment, including hand held radar guns, tripod mounted lasers and in car and motorcycle video units. There are almost 600 radar and laser units in operation at any one time. Also, 36 in-car video units are used at various locations throughout the country as the need arises.

The enforcement of the road traffic legislation is being given a high priority by the Garda and in this regard the Garda enforcement campaign, i.e., Operation Lifesaver, is targeting speeding, drink driving, seat belt offences and dangerous-careless driving. The Garda consider that the amount of equipment at their disposal is adequate. My Department gives prompt and full consideration to any Garda requests for new equipment.

Tom Enright

Question:

289 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure adopted at Garda stations and at the Medical Bureau for Road Safety; and the precise arrangements between the Garda Síochána and the Medical Bureau for Road Safety in transporting samples from people, suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, to the State Laboratory at Abbotstown where testing for drug driving is carried out. [6398/01]

Tom Enright

Question:

290 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people arrested for driving under the influence of a drug under section 49 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961; and the number of people convicted of driving under the influence of a drug in each of the years 1996,1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. [6401/01]

Tom Enright

Question:

291 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda stations with facilities to test persons suspected of driving while under the influence of a drug contrary to section 49 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. [6402/01]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 to 291, inclusive, together.

Procedures adopted by the Garda Síochána in relation to blood and urine samples must and do comply with the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as amended. The Garda state that where a person is suspected of driving or being in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, including a drug, a sample of breath, blood or urine is taken at a Garda Síochána station. The local Garda superintendent may then make a request to have the blood or urine sample(s) analysed for drugs by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, as such analysis is not capable of being performed at Garda Síochána stations. The sample(s) is forwarded by registered post or delivered by hand to the bureau, which has ultimate responsibility for analysis and statutory certification thereon. I understand that internal arrangements exist between the bureau and the State Laboratory at Abbotstown regarding the analysis and transportation of samples between these two organisations.

In relation to prosecutions and convictions, statistics are not disaggregated according to the type(s) of intoxicant involved. However, I am informed by the Garda that the numbers of samples sent to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety for drug analysis during the years 1996 to 2000 are as follows:

Year	No. of Samples Sent for Drug Analysis
1996	16
1997	24
1998	32
1999	50
2000	76