Fines Administration

Thursday, 13 May 2021

Questions (372)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

372. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice the number of speeding fines issued across County Donegal in each of the years, 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the locations of the alleged speeding offences; and the time of day that the alleged offences took place in each instance in tabular form. [25227/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

I have requested a report on the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 372 which was for answer on 13 May 2021, where you requested the number of speeding fines issued across County Donegal in each of the years, 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the locations of the alleged speeding offences; and the time of day that the alleged offences took place.

You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and my Department undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the information was available.

As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table appended below sets out the number of speeding fines issued across County Donegal in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and the time of day the alleged offences took place.

The Garda authorities have advised me that it is only appropriate to provide information at a divisional level, and so no further breakdown of the location of the offences can be provided.

Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 01 January 2016 to 12 May 2021, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the FCPS system as was available on 13 May 2021 and is liable to change.

More than 60% of speeding detections for the Region were detected by Gosafe speed vans. This proportion would be in line with national figures. The number of safety camera zones increased by over 300 nationally from February 2020 and this will have impacted on the figures.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Appendix

Breakdown of the number of Fixed Charge Notices issued for speeding in Donegal Division from 2016 to 2021*

2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021*
4315	3340	2887	3344	3743	986

*2021 data is up to 12/05/2021.

Below is a breakdown of the main time periods for alleged offences.

Hour	FCNs Isssued
12am-4am	895
4am-8am	778
8am-12pm	3118
12pm-4pm	4942
4pm-8pm	5129
8pm-12am	3753
	18615

Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 01/01/2016 to 12/05/2021, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the FCPS system as was available on 13/05/2021, and is therefore liable to change.