Road Traffic Offences.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004

Tuesday, 23 March 2004

Questions (499)

Finian McGrath

Question:

496 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 380 of 9 March 2004, the number of ministerial cars (not Garda cars carrying out their duties) recorded by speed camera above the speed limit since the introduction of speed cameras; the number of ministerial cars that were recorded out of a total of 1,741 State vehicles caught breaking the limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8826/04]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Ministerial cars form part of the Garda fleet and are driven by members of the Garda Síochána carrying out official duties. The number of ministerial cars recorded by speed cameras above the speed limit since the introduction of speed cameras is not readily available. The compiling of such figures would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources which could not be justified in the circumstances.

As I have previously informed the Deputy, while Garda vehicles have been recorded by speed cameras driving above the speed limit, vehicles used by members of the Garda Síochána in the performance of their duties as such members are specifically excepted from the speed limits prescribed. This is done pursuant to section 46 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 which provides that the Minister for Transport may prescribe by regulation speed limits and such regulations may provide for exceptions to those limits.