Vol. 575 No. 1
58 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Transport the proposals made to date with regard to the establishment of the dedicated traffic corps, as promised in the Programme for Government; when he expects that the corps will be established and operational; the reason for the long delay, especially when the Programme for Government promised that the consultation process would be completed by the end of 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27836/03]
The Programme for Government contains a commitment relating to the establishment of a dedicated traffic corps. I support the implementation of this proposal through the formation of a corps that will be separately identifiable and visible.
A consultation process involving my Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Síochána on the establishment of a dedicated traffic corps is being progressed. The question of the relationship that the corps will have with the Garda and in particular whether it will be under the overall control of the commissioner is central to the development of this proposal. The establishment of a dedicated traffic corps which is independent of the Garda would require the introduction of legislation, in particular to establish the powers and functions of the corps and its accountability.
A working group has been established to urgently consider the options available to progress this proposal. This group comprises representatives from the Department of Transport, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Garda Síochána, the Dublin Transportation Office and the Office of the Director of Traffic.
Question No. 59 answered with Question No. 7.
60 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended to implement the recommendations of the report of the review group on speed limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27838/03]
The broadly based working group that I established earlier this year to carry out a comprehensive review of the present speed limit structures presented its report to me on 2 October. A copy of the report is available in the Oireachtas Library and, in addition, the document is posted on my Department's website.
The review has addressed all the relevant issues and has been pursued against the background of the plans to provide for the metrication of speed limits by the end of 2004. It is proposed that any changes in speed limits will be implemented when metric units of measurement are introduced.
I am currently giving careful consideration to the report and the recommendations made by the working group. The implementation of new speed structures based on metric values will give rise to a range of practical issues. I have asked the working group to continue its work for the purpose of advising on that implementation programme, including the mounting of a public awareness campaign.
