Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
236. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if he has received a report in relation to progress on camera enforcement of road traffic laws; if not, if such a report has been commissioned by the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1280/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with Actions 67 and 122 of Phase 1 of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, the National Transport Authority (NTA) chaired a cross-agency working group to examine various approaches to expediting the timely and efficient introduction of camera enforcement. The Working Group presented its final report to the Road Safety Partnership Board on 5 November 2023.
Building on the recommendations of this Group, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) was nominated to lead the development of a comprehensive national strategy for the future roll-out and expanded use of safety cameras. A draft of this strategy is expected to be completed in the coming months.
The Strategy will cover the use of safety cameras across all aspects of the road network, with the objective of saving lives by reducing unsafe driver behaviours that can be detected using existing and proven camera-based technologies. The Strategy will focus on speed, red light and bus lane cameras in the initial phase. However, it is being designed to allow for the enforcement of other violations in the future, such as mobile phone use and not wearing seat belts. It is expected that legislative amendment will be required to allow for camera enforcement in these areas.
Pending the finalisation of the strategy and overarching camera framework, as announced in 2024, An Garda Síochána is in the process of deploying three new average speed zones and nine static cameras across the country, with two additional average speed zones already coming into operation in Mayo and Cavan in late 2024. Building on this, as part of Budget 2025, the Minister for Justice announced funding for a further 100 camera installations.
Alongside this and pending the development of a more scalable and automated camera enforcement system, using powers under Section 81(7) of the Road Traffic Act 2010, the National Transport Authority intend to collaborate with An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council on the deployment of traffic management cameras within Dublin. Procurement exercises will be required for both cameras and a system operator, with the intention that one or two locations will be operational this year as part of an interim arrangement.
