Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to date of policing the yellow boxes along the routes of the Luas trams; the funds recouped to date from either the operator or the RPA; if this operation is diverting gardaí from other duties; the term of the contract with the RPA or a company, details supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23331/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the policing of yellow boxes forms part of general road safety and traffic management, for which a specific budget is not allocated. As members of the Garda Síochána have not been exclusively deployed on policing yellow boxes specifically for the Luas line, costs cannot be quantified in this matter.

I am further informed that personnel engaged in the city centre initiative and Operation Artery have been given instructions to put greater emphasis on the area of policing of box junctions, as the obstruction of same leads to substantial delays in the movement of traffic, both public transport and private. The same emphasis applies to box junctions on the Luas line. This operation is part of the general traffic operation plan for the Dublin metropolitan region, which aims to maximise the free movement of traffic in as far as is possible.

With regard to the question of the RPA, I am informed that the Garda Síochána has no contract with the RPA, or with the company referred to by the Deputy. No funds have been charged to or recouped by the regional traffic division with respect to the operator of the Luas or the RPA.