Vol. 406 No. 1
15 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to a media report of 19 February 1991 relating a cancer link with the use of radar guns for speed checks; if he will confirm that no such risk is attached to the use of this type of equipment by the Garda, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am not aware of any evidence to suggest that the speed detection equipment used by the gardaí is in any way harmful to the health of those using it. I am aware of a recent media report which indicates that a study in America found that some radar speed meter devices used by police forces there may emit excessive radiation affecting its users. I am assured that the type of equipment referred to in the media report is not in use here. The new hand-held "speed guns" being introduced on the force at present are the most modern such devices available and have been developed and tested for safety and other purposes by Government authorities in the UK.
The speed detection devices used by the gardaí are in widespread use by police forces in other member states of the European Community and the Garda authorities are not aware of any difficulties encountered on health grounds with this equipment in these countries.
The suitability and safety of equipment in general that is used by members of the Garda Síochána is, of course, the subject of ongoing attention and regular assessment. Speed detection equipment is no exception in this regard and, while there is nothing to suggest that any such equipment in use by the Garda poses any threat to members of the force who use it, I can confirm that as part of the process of ongoing assessment to which I have referred, an examination of safety aspects of this equipment is being conducted by those professionally qualified to do so.
I do not want to create any anxiety about the report which appeared in the newspaper, although at the time it created a great deal of anxiety among members of the Garda and their families. Can the Minister say whether the equipment used by the Garda Síochána and to which he referred, is made in the United States? The Minister said he was not aware of any harmful effects this equipment might have. May I ask him how he was made aware that the equipment was not harmful? He said an examination is now being undertaken. I assume he will know when the examination is completed what effects this equipment may have. That is the information I want to elicit from the Minister.
The equipment used here is not the same as the equipment used in the US. It is supplied here by an agent from the company who supply Garda equipment generally in the Dublin region. There are many different models of speed detection equipment on the market both in the UK and the US but the equipment used here is not used in the US.
With regard to where the equipment is manufactured, I will have to come back to the Deputy on that point. So far as any threat to the health of gardaí is concerned, as I indicated in my reply there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that any of the types of speed detection equipment used by the Garda is in any way harmful to health. The Deputy will be aware that the equipment is, firstly, used outside, it is a handgun and, secondly, detection is not within the confines of cars, it is outside cars.
Of course, there is exposure to radiation everywhere. I am not an expert on the subject but radiation can come from equipment such as televisions, radios and computers. I understand that the equipment being used by the Garda is perfectly safe. As I said, as part of an ongoing assessment an examination of the safety aspects of the equipment is being conducted by those professionally qualified to do so.
The Minister mentioned in passing that he is proud of the new and modern equipment he has made available to the Garda Síochána. May I put it to the Minister that the use of this equipment will have absolutely no effect until such time as he makes a commitment to outlaw the use of radar detectors and that irrespective of the type of modern radar equipment he puts at the disposal of the Garda Síochána it will be rendered completely useless due to the widespread use of radar detectors? I have raised this issue with the Minister on numerous occasions in the past and he has made promises both inside and outside the House. May I ask him when this difficulty will be tackled?
So far as the operation of speed traps, speed guns and radar detectors is concerned, the figures available to me do not substantiate the accusation made by the Deputy that there is a failure to prosecute. The number of prosecutions indicate that this equipment is proving to be very successful. I have great faith that with the increased manpower and equipment we will see considerable improvements in safety on our roads in the period ahead.
We should also have realistic speed limits.
Can we come to deal with Deputy Seán Barrett's question, No. 16, please?
