Dáil debates

Thursday, 2 February 2006

Other Questions.

Road Traffic Offences.

3:00 pm

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 8: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda authorities are capable of operating an expanded penalty points system; the assurances he has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36013/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am assured by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána is capable of operating the expanded fixed charge and penalty points system when it comes into effect on 3 April 2006. In this regard, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the fixed charge processing system, using hand-held machines which currently process the offences of speeding and the non-wearing of seat belts, is operational nationwide from today. This system will, in April, cater for the additional 31 fixed charge or penalty points offences recently announced by the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen. This will result in a significant reduction in the number of court appearances for gardaí, freeing them up for operational duty and removing a burden on the courts. In conjunction with this, the payment collection service being provided by An Post is being piloted and will be rolled out nationwide on a phased basis. By April 2006, this service will be operational in all Garda districts, removing the need to pay these fines at relevant Garda district headquarters. When the An Post service is fully rolled out, payment will be possible at 900 locations nationwide.

On the question of increased resources for the Garda traffic corps, as a result of the Government's approval of my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, the Garda Commissioner will be in a position, as each cycle of recruit training is completed, to assign additional new members to the areas of greatest need with particular regard to certain priorities.

An Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Eddie Rock, was appointed on 22 February 2005 to head up the corps. Between now and 2008, the traffic corps will increase its numbers to 805 in 2006, 1,030 in 2007 and a full complement of 1,200 in 2008.

It is intended that by the end of the first quarter of 2006 the number in the traffic corps will have increased by 60 and will thereafter increase by a further 60 each quarter to reach a total complement of 805 at the end of 2006.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Members who may or may not be in the Garda traffic corps in 2008 will not be able to do anything about the carnage on our roads now. It is tiresome to listen to the Minister talking about plans and commitments for years ahead when the problem is there now. My complaint is about the numbers in the traffic corps and that, despite commitments that were made three or four years ago, efforts are only now being made to produce the extra recruits. Does the Minister accept that there is scepticism on the part of the public about the operation of an expanded penalty points system? There have been four offences in the system for some time and their operation to date does not inspire much confidence.

A number of questions have been put on whether the technology is in place to deal with another 31 offences. Will the Minister explain, in simple, layman's terms, how the system will work and how it will be better tomorrow than it was yesterday?

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When this proposal was originally adopted it was decided to adopt a phased approach to ensure the early implementation of the system. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that an outsourced payment collection system, integrated with the PULSE system, is being put in place and will be operational on 3 April 2006. The Deputy is a bit behind the times in terms of PULSE.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am hearing complaints about PULSE.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy should put his ear to the ground again. He will find out that the system is improving dramatically, helped by the establishment of dedicated call centres intended to relieve the pressure on individual gardaí queueing up at terminals to make their inputs.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Travelling miles to do so.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A bit like PPARS.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An interaction capacity with the Courts Service computer system had to be put in place for summonses and other matters. A number of systems had to be married and time was needed to ensure this worked.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Has a successful management system now been put in place?

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been assured that it will work. We also had to find a method of payment which would exclude gardaí because I did not want officers sitting behind counters in stations and taking money.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The 1,500 doing it could be civilianised.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We have instead given a contract to An Post, which will begin to operate a centre in every Garda division. By the end of the roll-out, it will be possible to pay for penalty points in every post office. Fixed penalty points will be recorded on a person's licence and, in the event of the fine being unpaid by the end of the relevant period, warning notices will be automatically sent out, followed by court documentation, with a court date selected as part of a simple process. That took more time than I was happy with but the system is now in place and the 31 additional offences will become live on 31 April.

Gardaí will be supplied with a hand-held computer the size of an old mobile telephone, on which they will be able to record and electronically download details to the system so that there will no longer be a need to process as many forms or for people to carry pencils behind their ears. It will be an entirely automatic process.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish it Godspeed.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The reality is that more people died on the roads here in January 2006 than during the previous January. A crisis, therefore, exists and the Minister assures us it will be addressed. We do not have the 1,000 strong dedicated traffic corps he promised us. More than 1,500 gardaí are sitting behind desks and doing work that could be done by civilians, the highest percentage of any police force in Europe. He has done nothing about that, despite his commitment in 2002 to deal with it as a priority. We have 31 new penalty point offences, yet these do not include using hand-held mobile telephones while driving a car. When will the Minister address that issue? This is another bit of old guff from himself and the Department of Transport.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In terms of the guff coming from me——

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister engages in guff to beat the band.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not bring road traffic Bills, the policy on which is laid down by the Department of Transport. I am not washing my hands of the situation but the use of mobile telephones is not within my remit.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We understand why the Minister would wash his hands of the Minister for Transport.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is somebody else's business.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Dump him in it.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have no doubt it will be dealt with. Deputy Costello will be pleased to learn that I attended a meeting this morning with a number of other Ministers and the Attorney General, at which I was told the relevant road traffic legislation will be given the greatest priority.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will be given, sometime.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The requisite changes of the law will be introduced and pushed through with speed. I hope he will not consider it an indecent speed.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It will not break the speed limit.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I fully accept the points made by the Deputy but we have to remember a number of issues. It cannot be denied that the number of deaths on the roads has climbed relative to an exponential increase in the number of cars. With 800,000 cars the figures were roughly comparable to what they are now with 2 million people. That cuts both ways because in many parts of the country it is not possible to attain high speeds because of what has happened to the roads.

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That excuse is not good enough.

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When penalty points were initially introduced, traffic fatalities decreased enormously.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A number of specific issues arose for consideration today. I compliment RTE on using a news programme the other day to highlight the issue. I was alarmed to estimate that 20% to 25% of the names of people who died in accidents scrolling up the screen were non-nationals. We have to get across to them that they have a collective problem.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As a word of advice to the Minister, he should not get into the usual business of excusing road deaths.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am not doing that.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On the arrangement with An Post, is it being paid a block sum or a percentage of the amount it collects? Are any incentives built in?

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will An Post provide a facility to pay on-line, which is not available at present?

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will have to revert to the Deputy on the latter question. I appreciate his point that on-line payment is a sensible way to deal with the matter.

On the remuneration basis, I understand that a fee per item basis is being contemplated. That is the only way An Post can incentivise post office owners and managers around the country. It will not be a question of giving people incentives to hand out tickets for cash, however.

I will not excuse one road death, let alone the appalling figures of recent months. The State must play its part in ensuring proper enforcement of road traffic law and the Garda Síochána has to do that with the resources it has been provided. Every citizen also has a duty to co-operate with the Garda Síochána.

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We have gone more than five minutes beyond the allotted time. The Minister should conclude because we must adjourn the House.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Most recent road traffic deaths have involved single vehicle incidents, which raises questions about individual responsibility.

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We must hold the adjournment debate because it is past time.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I received an answer from the Minister on Sinéad McDaid, which stated that there was no investigation because the matter was not considered serious but this lady was taken moribund from the site of the accident.

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy should arrange to meet the Minister on that matter.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are serious inconsistencies. The Garda statement said there was one sign on each side of the road, yet the photograph showed four the next morning.