Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004
260 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects the full roll-out of speed cameras nationally will take place; his views on the outsourcing of all speed cameras to a private interest; the responsibilities which such a private operator would have in the operation of such a system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32438/04]
View answer261 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in the introduction of speed cameras; and if they will be placed on high risk areas of roads. [32403/04]
View answer275 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the envisaged breakdown of responsibility and duties between the Garda and the private operator of speed cameras in the event of the private outsourcing of speed cameras; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32418/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 261 and 275 together.
A working group on safety cameras chaired by my Department, and consisting of representatives of the Garda Síochána, the Department of Transport and the National Roads Authority is currently examining how the provision, operation and processing of the output of speed cameras would operate, including how camera sites will be chosen. Work is currently well advanced on preparing proposals on how the management of these arrangements will be structured and I expect to formulate proposals shortly. It is intended that the Garda Síochána will continue to play a central role with respect to the location of the cameras. The enactment of new legislative provisions will be necessary to enable these proposals to be implemented. Such legislation is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen.
The maximum number of gardaí should be involved in front line policing and not in back office administrative work. To achieve this, outsourcing of non-core Garda work is necessary. This will include outsourcing the provision, maintenance and operation of speed cameras. The Government's road safety strategy for 2004-06 was published some months ago by the Minister for Transport. It notes that successful jurisdictions, such as Victoria in Australia, have benefited from the engagement of private sector interests for the operation of camera and other detection equipment. The arrangements in place in Victoria greatly facilitate the determination of annual levels of checks for the entire fleet of vehicles. The strategy therefore proposes that the Garda Síochána will enter into arrangements for the engagement of a private sector concern for the purposes of the provision and operation of a nationwide programme for the detection of speeding offences. Outsourcing of the operation of camera equipment will also free up Garda resources for enforcement purposes. These arrangements may see the project being rolled out on a phased basis and, in addition to speeding offences, it may extend to other appropriate traffic offences.
