Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Other Questions

Road Traffic Offences

2:20 pm

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has had any further response from the Northern Ireland authorities in relation to the need to deal effectively with illegal and dangerous driving practices on the N54/A3 Clones to Cavan Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8929/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the activity referred to occurs on a stretch of road that traverses County Fermanagh on the N54-A3. Accordingly, road safety enforcement on that particular stretch of road is the responsibility of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI. I am, however, assured that An Garda Síochána monitors traffic and performs static checkpoints at strategic locations on the proportion of the road in this State.

The Deputy will be aware that a number of joint operations have been conducted by An Garda Síochána and the PSNI targeting anti-social driving practices on this road. These operations have taken place at regular intervals over a number of years. To date in 2013, planned joint operations have been conducted by the Garda in conjunction with the PSNI on 12 and 17 January and 9 and 16 February. I am further advised by the Garda authorities that these operations will continue to be prioritised in the future and that there has been positive feedback with respect to these operations and their deterrent impact at this location.

I am assured that An Garda Síochána and the PSNI maintain ongoing close liaison with local public representatives on both sides of the Border in relation to this matter and have been proactive with regard to road safety enforcement measures in the area.

The Deputy will appreciate this is principally an operational policing matter and accordingly what is important is ongoing police co-operation. My colleague, David Ford, and I regularly discuss the general issue of co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we are both satisfied that co-operation between both forces is excellent. In respect of the specific issue raised by the Deputy, I am assured by the Garda authorities that this ongoing police co-operation is borne out by the recent joint operations.

2:30 pm

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that reply. I originally tabled the question for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the position has since improved. Clones Town Council is the local statutory agency that has constantly brought this matter to our attention. I commend the Garda Síochána in the Cavan-Monaghan division and the local members of the PSNI in Fermanagh on their policing work in this area. It is a very difficult area to police. If someone travels from Clones to Cavan, he passes through Fermanagh on three occasions.

In previous questions, I asked the Tánaiste to ensure this issue is kept on the agenda at North-South Ministerial Council meetings and the Tánaiste undertook that, along with the Minister for Justice and Equality, he would raise the matter with the Minister for Justice in the Northern Executive. We want to reassure the local community that the matter will be given constant attention. I have had numerous complaints from older members of the community in Fermanagh, Cavan and Monaghan who were extremely frightened by the outrageous driving practices, such as joy riding, so-called "doughnutting" and other dangerous practices on particular stretches of that road, particularly in Fermanagh, on different occasions.

There is also constant ambulance traffic between Monaghan General Hospital and Cavan General Hospital and we want to ensure no tragedies occur on that stretch of road. I ask the Minister to keep the matter under consideration along with his northern counterpart.

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I share the Deputy's commendation of the Garda and the PSNI because they have done important work here. What has been taking place is an outrage and is completely unacceptable. This behaviour places lives at risk and cannot be tolerated by ourselves, the Garda or the authorities in Northern Ireland. It is important that this sort of activity stops and I assure the Deputy the work being done by the Garda and PSNI will continue and everything possible will be done to curtail these activities before some tragedy occurs. Those involved in policing on both sides of the Border deserve our thanks for the work they have done on this issue.

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am open to correction but in the 1980s there was a more formal structure between Garda superintendents on the southern side of the Border and their counterparts in the North. While there are good relations between North and South now, where gardaí can telephone their PSNI colleagues, we should look at a more localised structure. Rather than Deputy Smith and Deputy Mac Lochlainn having to raise issues in here about our local areas, communities should be able to make suggestions and perhaps the Minister could consider community policing at town and county level. That model works and we should consider it for the Fermanagh-Cavan region or Tyrone-Derry-Donegal, where the community could be involved while being reassured at the same time.

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I support any co-operative structure that might provide added value and facilitate co-operation in policing matters between North and South. There is now a far more sophisticated and deeper engagement between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI than would have been the case in the 1980s. We also have local policing committees, which can make an input into these issues. I am happy to consider the Deputy's suggestion.