Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
1590. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 12 July 2017, the progress which has been made to date to increase the Garda traffic corps by 10% during 2017 as set out by An Garda Síochána as a priority in the Garda policing plan 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38182/17]
View answerI set out my understanding of the broad position regarding the planned increase in enforcement by An Garda Síochána in 2017 in my answer to Question No. 399. In 2017 I have increased the frequency of meetings of the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety, which includes senior representatives of An Garda Síochána, and I have been assured at the most recent meeting of that Committee in July that An Garda Síochána is using every available resource, in close co-operation with the Road Safety Authority, to reduce the number of fatal and serious injuries on our roads. As of last Friday (8 September 2017) the number of fatalities on our roads was down by 24 on the same period last year and this I believe is a tribute to the work of the entire spectrum of road safety stakeholders, including my own Department, the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána.
However, the Deputy will appreciate that the issues raised by him as regards specific enforcement levels by An Garda Síochána including the exact current levels of the Garda Traffic Corps and the detailed implementation of Garda policing plans for 2017 are matters which fall within the area of responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, and the Deputy may wish to raise the matter directly with my colleague accordingly.
