Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to Deputy Buttimer, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, and I stated earlier that the fixed charge notice system has had a very dramatic and beneficial impact despite the administrative and management dysfunction that has been identified. There were 396 fatalities on our roads in 2005 and this had been reduced to 162 in 2012. As I said earlier, even a single fatality is one fatality too much, but it is a very dramatic reduction. Unfortunately, last year the numbers increased to 190 but it is still a far better position than in 2005 and fortuitously, so far, as we come to the end of the first quarter of this year, I am advised that fatalities are somewhat down on last year. I hope that continues to be the case.

It is important to put this in context. In all the criticism of the Garda Síochána that has been voiced, both the rank and file and management have taken very substantive action to try to ensure that our roads are safer and that people drive safely. In my initial statement to the House I detailed the extent of Garda activity and engagement in that context. I will not repeat it because we are time constrained. Saving lives on our roads is not simply about Garda engagement but is about people being compliant. The GSOC report of 2009 detailed the importance of compliance in reducing traffic accidents. If we were to judge the system of fixed charge notices against such criteria provided, clearly it has been successful. Both the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar and I would like to see the figures decrease further.

The recommendations made for administering this system are of great importance. I have set the timelines and the action plan has been published. The working group will report to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar and me. From time to time we will report to our Government colleagues on progress being made. I have no difficulty with our occasionally reporting to the House. So far this working group has met twice, so, clearly, it needs some time to complete the work is doing.

On Deputy Ross's question, as I said previously, I was present with the Taoiseach and the Attorney General at the meeting that took place in the Taoiseach's Department on Monday evening. The Secretary General to the Government, Mr. Martin Fraser, was present and later we were joined by the Secretary General of my Department. The concerns around this issue and matters relating to it were discussed in great detail. The Secretary General of my Department was not "dispatched" but was asked to discuss matters with the Garda Commissioner and he did so that evening. I cannot add to that any further.

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