Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform If his attention has been drawn to recent criticisms of the National Safety Council from the Dublin Cycling Campaign that road deaths are on the rise due to a lack of law enforcement by authorities and that Ireland's speed and drink driving checks must be brought in line with other countries such as Austria and Sweden to reduce road deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12505/04]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he plans to ensure that gardaí have sufficient resources to enforce the new road safety strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12489/04]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to recent comments from the road safety taskforce that insufficient Garda enforcement of road safety measures is contributing to spiralling road deaths here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12524/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 to 324, inclusive, together.

A very high priority continues to be given to the allocation of resources to the Garda Síochána in relation to road safety. As of 30 April, 2004 the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána was more than 11,900. For the year 2004, the Garda Vote is at its highest ever level at more than €1 billion. There are approximately 520 gardaí attached to dedicated traffic units throughout the State. There are 243 Garda vehicles allocated specifically to traffic duties, including cars, motorbikes and vans as well as an array of modern speed detection equipment, including in-car and motor cycle cameras and mobile GATSO units.

The Garda national traffic bureau, headed by a chief superintendent and based at Garda headquarters, was established in 1998 to give greater focus and direction to Garda road safety initiatives. There are now traffic units in every Garda division with special responsibility for traffic law enforcement and a new unit, managed by the chief superintendent in Dublin Castle, is currently operating on a pilot basis in the Dublin metropolitan region. All Garda personnel have, inter alia, a responsibility to deal with road traffic matters as they arise.

I have no responsibility for the National Safety Council. However, the new Road Safety Strategy 2004 — 2006, which is due to be published shortly by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, and to the drafting of which my Department has contributed, contains ambitious enforcement targets which recognise the additional enforcement capacity which innovative measures such as outsourcing and random breath testing will bring to the area of road safety. It is my understanding that the principal targets contained in the forthcoming strategy are in line with EU targets. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, proposed new road traffic legislation broadening the powers of the Garda Síochána will be introduced before the House in the near future by the Minister for Transport which will, when enacted, greatly strengthen the effectiveness of the powers available to the Garda in these matters.