Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 2

Written Answers. - Road Traffic Offences.

John Dennehy

Question:

353 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the numbers of prosecutions and convictions in 2001 for persons not using seat belts in the back of a car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4359/02]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the detailed breakdown of total seat belt offences into offences for back seat passengers are not readily available.

Breaches of the seat belt legislation may be dealt with by way of caution, by a fine on-the-spot or by a court prosecution. The decision as to whether to prosecute, issue an on-the-spot fine, or caution the offender or offenders is a Garda operational matter.

Details in relation to the total number of prosecutions, convictions and on-the-spot fines for seat belt offences are published in the yearly annual reports of An Garda Síochána, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The most recent report is for 2000.