Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the unavailability of 2,000 extra gardaí, the gardaí engaged in speed detection should adopt a high visibility approach rather than the predominantly stealthy approach favoured by them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8489/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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My proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis over a number of years was approved by the Government in October 2004 in line with the commitment in the agreed programme for Government. The number of gardaí assigned to the traffic corps, which was established in November 2004, will increase from the current level of approximately 530 to 1,200 by 2008.

The assignment of gardaí to the traffic corps will be done on a phased basis in tandem with the recruitment of almost 1,100 recruits in each of the next three years. In addition, the Government recently approved the appointment of an additional assistant commissioner, who the commissioner has appointed to take responsibility for traffic matters, including the traffic corps.

The methods employed by the Garda Síochána in the detection or prevention of any offence are an operational matter for the Garda Síochána and I have no direct role relating to them. Both overt and covert enforcement activities are carried out by the Garda Síochána, as both have a role to play in an effective enforcement programme. Furthermore, both covert and high visibility checkpoints are operated by the Garda Síochána to detect speeding motorists. The locations for these checkpoints are determined by the collision prevention programme, which identifies collision prone locations. These locations are then targeted for checkpoints with a view to detecting speeding motorists, changing driver behaviour and, ultimately, reducing death and injuries on our roads.