Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed the new Danish road safety camera initiative; if he has been briefed by the Road Safety Authority on the new Danish programme; the position regarding the roll-out of the national speed camera network; when tendering documents will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32527/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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My officials are aware, from ongoing contacts with the Road Safety Authority, of the recent initiative on road safety cameras by the Danish authorities. My understanding is that those authorities have decided to launch an experiment with fixed safety cameras on selected roads to deter speeding.

Inappropriate speeding has been identified as one of the primary causes of death and injuries on Irish roads. The introduction of the safety camera network to provide 6,000 hours of enforcement per month is a specific action identified in the road safety strategy. However, the implementation of the project is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Síochána. I understand that, following an open tender process, negotiations with a preferred bidder will take place.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I also welcome the downward trend in fatalities and injuries on the roads. However, the number of people and their families who suffer is still astonishing and a grave problem. Approximately three to five years ago, we heard from the brother of the Minister of State, the former Taoiseach, that a fixed network of 6,000 hours of speed cameras at 600 locations would be put in place. Five years later we still do not have this.

We have heard about the tendering process, six bidders, a preferred bidder and that negotiations will take place. I know the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for the deployment of speed cameras. However, I understand the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has signed up to cuts of at least 3% in 2009. Some people suggest these will be cuts of up to 10%. Will these include the speed camera network?

Last week the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, made a big play of the launch of the new GATSO vans. However, this is a tiny network of eight vans for the entire country. We know from international experience, such as that of the state of Victoria in Australia which is approximately the size of our country, that every vehicle must be checked at least once every two months. The Victorian authorities in Melbourne have the ambition of checking 60% of the vehicles in the state every month. It seems we are nowhere near this while Denmark, where the number of road fatalities had been declining but which suddenly increased, responded vigorously.

I am informed by the Road Safety Authority that the Danish model is one we should adopt as soon as possible. It is a dismal prospect that we seem to be postponing the deployment of speed cameras when we know that speed kills. Speed is directly or indirectly responsible for 40% or 50% of accidents. Perhaps it is a problem in every collision and crash. We have seen this from international experience. It is time the Minister for Transport or the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform stopped shilly-shallying on this and deployed the cameras. Let us really reduce the horrendous casualty rates.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy that speed is a major cause of accidents and fatalities. As Deputy Broughan stated, the preferred bidder has been selected but the entire road safety strategy is covered by a number of Departments and agencies. Having the 6,000 hours is a key part of the strategy but the Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform are responsible for this. We have occasional meetings with all of the agencies involved where everyone answers for progress on the strategy. If an agency or Department is falling behind it is an issue to be discussed among ourselves.

I hope the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Síochána are soon in a position to move forward and carry out what is in the strategy. Intensive meetings and discussions are taking place in all Departments about Estimates for next year. I hope it is included. I cannot say one way or another at present. It is an important part of the strategy and I hope we can tackle it.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the roll-out of the GATSO vans, does the Minister of State agree that in order for the eight cameras at 700 locations throughout the country to be effective there needs to be permanent signage erected on the 700 sections of road? Will the Minister of State put this signage in place? It does not involve a significant cost but it has a major impact.

With regard to the roll-out of the Danish model, which is the way we should go, if it is to be effective we cannot have a situation where one third of the driving public is exempt from penalty points. Does the Department have any plans to introduce a system like that in place in the UK whereby ghost driving licences are used for non-UK citizens so they can accumulate penalty points and be put off the road? This would ensure that everyone who drives on Irish roads must adhere to the laws of this country.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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It is the intention to have signage where we have speed traps. Last week it was highlighted that the Garda Síochána stated gardaí are not hiding and that their preference is for people to see them, take note and stop speeding. The aim is to stop speeding and not necessarily to catch people.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Síochána also stated it was the responsibility of the Department of Transport to put it in place.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to foreign drivers or drivers from the North, a number of months ago the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, and I attended a meeting with representatives from the North and Britain where we discussed doing this. It will be dealt with in two phases, bringing together and recognising disqualifications from one another's administrative area and further down the road recognising penalty points. Next March or April has been mentioned with regard to the introduction of the disqualification regime. However, having a system to recognise one another's penalty points will take a couple of years because the three administrations have different rules and regulations.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We are over time on this question and a number of Deputies have indicated.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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What about a virtual licence?

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I believe we have that.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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When the Minister of State is overseeing the roll-out of the cameras will he ensure it is more successful than eFlow? A number of constituents have contacted me——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We have already discussed this matter.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Many constituents have contacted me——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is not relevant.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Yesterday, I was horrified to open my post to discover a fine for going through——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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This is about speed cameras.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Well, speed cameras, cameras, traffic, it is——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is not photography either.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for a little leeway. Will the Minister of State take up the issue with eFlow and have it put its house in order? I will not be paying this fine because I did not travel and neither did my car.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The credibility of speed limits is necessary for the credibility of speed cameras. A number of speed limits throughout the country must be examined. There is a variation of speed limits in places and outside some schools it is 80 km/h and outside others it is 60 km/h or 100 km/h. We need lower speeds in certain areas. I have been told by a county council official that the lowest speed limit possible on a road is 80 km/h. However, some roads or lanes which are public roads should have a speed limit less than 80 km/h. An issue arises with regard to this and I call on the Minister of State to examine it.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I heard what Deputy Timmins stated and new infrastructure and technology sometimes have teething problems. It does not take from the fact that they are well worthwhile and we will get there. I heard what Deputy O'Dowd stated about the inconsistency of speed limits on various roads. That needs to be put right and is being done, but there can be differences where sections of roads are built. In urban areas, local authorities currently have power to introduce lower speed limits than those mentioned by the Deputy. When I was a member of a local authority, we often talked about the need to have lower speed levels than the standard ones. That power now exists, but I suppose it depends on where a school is located. One may not be able to do it if a school is on a main road. However, the power to introduce lower speed limits is now available for local authorities to pursue.