Garda Traffic Corps.

Wednesday, 16 February 2005

Questions (86)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

128 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he still proposes to have 1,000 gardaí on duty as part of his promised traffic corps; when he proposes to set up this corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4960/05]

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Written answers

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

As the Deputy is aware, I announced the establishment within the Garda Síochána of the traffic corps on 23 November 2004. The Deputy will also be aware that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis in line with the commitment in the An Agreed Programme for Government. As each cycle of recruit training is completed, the Garda Commissioner will assign these new members to the areas of greatest need with particular regard to certain priorities, which include the traffic corps.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of gardaí assigned to the traffic corps will increase from the current approved level of approximately 530 to 1,200 by 2008. The assignment of gardaí to the traffic corps will be done on the following phased basis in tandem with the recruitment of almost 1,100 recruits in each of the next three years:

2005	563
2006	805
2007	1,030
2008	1,200.

I also published a strategic review of traffic policing on 23 November 1994, which is a blueprint for a transformation in the enforcement of road traffic law. A key recommendation of the strategic review is that a new position of assistant commissioner in charge of all aspects of road traffic law should be created. The Government yesterday approved the appointment of Eddie Rock as assistant commissioner and the commissioner has appointed him to take charge of the traffic corps.

Never before has the enforcement of road traffic law been given this level of priority within the force. The new assistant commissioner is a member of the top management team in the force and he will bring authority and visible leadership to the traffic corps from the outset.