The Deputy is already aware that I have informed the Taoiseach as to the current position in my response to the Deputy's parliamentary question number 74 of 2 November 2016.
An Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 sets out key strategic objectives for Roads Policing which will inform and guide An Garda Síochána’s Road Policing plans over the next 5 years. I would draw the Deputy's attention to the importance of technology in the context of Road Policing, as set out in the Modernisation and Renewal Programme, including the expansion of automatic nameplate recognition technology, ANPR, and the planned use of roadside hand-held devices. The annual Policing Plans over the lifetime of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme will provide an excellent opportunity to set out how these longer term goals will be progressively realised. The significant investment in Garda resources currently underway is closely associated with delivery on the Modernisation and Renewal Programme and it is, therefore, important that these resources are deployed in a targeted manner so that the impact of these resources on Roads Policing (and, of course, on other areas of policing) over time can be monitored and reported on.
I know the Deputy is aware of the Government's multi-agency approach to road safety in Ireland, whereby relevant stakeholders work in partnership to promote and enforce road safety. My Department engages regularly with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport across a number of different fora in this regard, including the Criminal Justice (Fixed Charge Processing System) Working Group, which oversees the implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate Report in this area; a number of which relate to information technology.
In addition, I will be meeting the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport later this month at the biannual Ministerial Committee on Road Safety, which oversees the implementation of the Road Safety Strategy and provides a forum for high-level discussion of road safety issues.
