Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is envisaged that the outsourcing of speed cameras will be confined to fixed cameras; if private operators will operate mobile cameras; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7805/05]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the choice of location of speed cameras, whether fixed or mobile, will remain solely in the hands of the Garda Síochána; if the system of remuneration for the operating company will be structured in such a way as to prevent revenue raising considerations influencing the justice system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7806/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together.

The Government's Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 notes that traffic law enforcement in successful jurisdictions, such as Victoria in Australia, have benefited from the engagement of private sector interests for the operation of camera and other detection equipment. The strategy therefore proposes that the Garda Síochána will enter into arrangements for the engagement of the private sector for the purpose of the provision and operation of a nationwide programme for the detection of speeding offences.

As the Deputy will be aware, a working group on speed cameras chaired by my Department, and consisting of representatives of the Garda Síochána, the Department of Transport and the National Roads Authority, is examining how the provision, operation and processing of the output of speed cameras would operate.

A number of issues are being considered by the group, including the criteria for locations of speed camera checks and the financial structure of the project. As the road safety strategy makes clear, the overall performance criteria to be applied to the outsourced detection of speeding offences will be determined by the Garda Síochána and camera detection facilities will be used at locations where the Garda Síochána determines there is an established or prospective risk of collisions. It is not envisaged that there will be a linkage between revenue collected as fixed charges or court fines and payments to the outsourcer or outsourcers. The purpose of the programme will be to increase road safety and thereby reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries, not increase revenue.

On the mix of equipment to be provided and used by a private concern, it is envisaged that the emphasis will be on mobile camera devices rather than fixed sites which will facilitate a speedier and more flexible response towards monitoring locations of particular concern.