Damien English
Ceist:94 Mr. English asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the establishment of a traffic corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2652/03]
Written Answers. - Traffic Management.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:105 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport when the dedicated traffic corps promised in the programme for Government will be established and operational; the progress of the planned consultation process to date; if the establishment of the corps will require legislation; if the corps will have the power of arrest; the discussions there have been with the Garda commissioner on the role of the corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2729/03]
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:172 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport when he expects that the Garda national traffic corps will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2927/03]
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:246 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport when the dedicated traffic corps, promised in the programme for Government, will be established and operational; the progress of the planned consultation process to date; if the establishment of the corps will require legislation; if the corps will have the power of arrest; the discussions there have been with the Garda commissioner on the role of the corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2896/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 105, 172 and 246 together.
The programme for Government contains a commitment relating to the establishment of a dedicated traffic corps. I am strongly supportive of the promotion of this proposal through the formation of a corps that will be separately identifiable and visible. There are many options that can be considered for the furtherance of this proposal. Equally, there are many issues that need to be taken into account. In particular, there is the issue of the overall operational control of the corps. While it would seem that it should be placed under the overall control of the Garda commissioner, its relationship with other members and divisions of the Garda force would need to be established.
Detailed consultation is ongoing between my Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Síochána. In addition, international experience in the management of traffic law enforcement is being researched with a view to the determination of the optimum structure for a traffic corps in Irish circumstances.
Question No. 95 answered with Question No. 86.