Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2011
363 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of on-the-spot fines or prosecutions on an annual basis since 2007 that were taken for failure to use proper lighting on a bicycle as outlined under the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations 1963; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29465/11]
View answerFollowing the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling, publishing and responding to queries regarding recorded crime statistics.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is currently no provision in law for the issue of fixed charge notices in respect of offences by pedal cyclists, including failure to use proper lighting on a bicycle. Road traffic law is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
364 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions that were taken at the District Courts on an annual basis since 2007 against cyclists for road traffic offences; if he will provide a breakdown of the offences; the number of cyclists who were prosecuted for cycling on a footpath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29466/11]
View answerFollowing the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling, publishing and responding to queries regarding recorded crime statistics.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
