Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I am aware of that legislation and its passage. I would like clarity regarding the regulations for local authorities. I understand that local authorities will have a major role here, particularly in working out what speed limits are appropriate for particular stretches of road. Many of them are too high and need to come down but many of them may be quite appropriate. It is a sort of a one-size-fits-all Act. That is understandable in one sense but it is not understandable when we get to the practical reality on the ground. Members of our local authorities, who face an election in the next couple of weeks, need to have the power to regulate that and make sure it works out.

I also want to bring the Minister of State's attention to the GoSafe vans, which are somewhat of a privatisation of our policing service. However, they have a role to play. At yesterday's transport committee meeting, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman informed us that GoSafe vans have the ability to pick up people who are not using their seat belts, who are using mobile phones and so on, but they cannot use this particular technology because the Departments of Transport and Justice have not yet provided a legal basis to do so. While legislation is happening on one side, in terms of things that actually can make a difference we have massive delays in implementation. When can the legislation be in place to ensure the camera systems that are installed will detect very dangerous behaviour and distracted driving, particularly use of mobile phones and non-wearing of seat belts?

See this speech in context