Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

The Leader remembers that I raised the matter of the Go Safe programme and the installation of speed cameras nationally. I expressed concern that this aspect of Government policy was being dragged out. I spoke to the line Ministers in the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Transport. There is a turf war between the mandarins in these Departments. This important programme, geared towards safety on our roads and badly needed, is being stalled.

Another interest in the matter for me is that the company designated as the preferred operator of the scheme is based in Listowel, County Kerry. It employs over 100 people and anticipated taking on 60 additional staff to cater for the new programme. However, a worrying article appeared in the newspaper at the weekend, suggesting the company had a meeting of its creditors and was in serious difficulty. This is a classic example of various Departments not being joined up. Instead of creating 60 jobs, we may lose 100 jobs. As a matter of urgency I ask the Leader to take this up with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coughlan. This is absolute lunacy. Every job we can create is vital yet we are sitting on our hands and people will not put their hands up and accept responsibility. The Department of Transport will be caught for the budget of installing the cameras but the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform wants the fines that will accrue to go to its budget. This is silly thinking because it is all the one Government. I ask the Leader to take this up or else it will be a calamity nationally and for Kerry.