Road Traffic Offences.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004

Thursday, 8 July 2004

Questions (305)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

305 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform , further to Question No. 402 of 10 February 2004, if the figures he provided in his reply have since been finalised; if he will give the final number; if he has satisfied himself with this level of enforcement; the action he is taking to strengthen Garda resources in order that enforcement can be improved; if he has had a request for such resources from the Garda; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21171/04]

Written answers

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

I can inform the Deputy that the figure for prosecutions in respect of the compulsory fitting of speed limitation devices on buses and coaches with more than eight passenger seats, excluding the driver's seat, with a design gross weight exceeding ten tonnes and heavy goods vehicles exceeding 12 tonnes, referred to in my reply dated 10 February 2004 is still provisional. The final figure will be published in the Garda Commissioner's annual report for 2003.

The enforcement of legislation and the allocation of resources in respect of the matters raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and, as such, I have no role in relation to these matters. However, the Garda authorities have advised me that they consider the level of enforcement for breaches of the regulations in respect of the compulsory fitting of speed limitation devices to be appropriate. I am not aware of any request to my Department for additional resources in this regard. If such a request were to be submitted, it would be considered in the usual way.