Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 February 2005
206 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all Garda speed detection equipment has been recalibrated to function on the basis of kilometres rather than miles per hour; the reason there was insufficient time for this task to be carried out prior to the introduction of the new metric speed limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4759/05]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that as equipment calibrated to kilometres per hour could not be used for speed enforcement before 20 January 2005 the Garda Síochána implemented a plan to calibrate approximately half of the Garda speed detection equipment to kilometres per hour prior to the metrification of speed limits so as to ensure the availability of effective speed detection equipment at all times. As all equipment could not be recalibrated simultaneously, arrangements were put in place to carry out recalibration of the remaining equipment over a period. I understand that all the remaining equipment has now been recalibrated.
207 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has investigated the situation with regard to the validity of hundreds of speeding summonses after it emerged that some of the forms used by gardaí failed to stipulate whether traffic offenders were driving in miles per hour, or kilometres per hour; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of cases were recently struck out of court on this basis; if the situation has been addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4785/05]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that all fixed charge notices issued by the Garda Síochána now indicate kilometres per hour. I am further informed that a small number of cases where the type of speed limit was not stipulated were dismissed in the courts. This situation should not arise in the future.
