Derek McDowell (Labour)

Yes, and a driver can only use that provision once in a period of ten years. The previous system was crazy and the measures in the Bill are an improvement.

I do not have an ideological problem with the operation of speed cameras by the private sector. However, we must be concerned with what may be a potential practical problem. Senator Norris referred to clamping, which has, by and large, worked well in Dublin city. It is driven, from the city council point of view, by the desire to have car parking working in a reasonably efficient way while the company that implements it, frankly, wants to make money from it. I am concerned that if private operators operate these cameras, albeit under the control of the Garda, they will be driven largely by the need to make as much money as possible rather than operating them in places where they would contribute to road safety. It is important that the cameras are used for the purpose for which they are intended and not simply as money making devices.