Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if adequate funds will be provided to the Garda in County Louth for the provision of speed cameras on the approach roads to the towns of Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee. [11554/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The budget allocated from the Garda Vote for road traffic equipment for 2005 is €1,106,000. This budget is used for the purchase and maintenance of road traffic equipment as required. The deployment of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.

The Government's road safety strategy 2004-06 proposes that the Garda Síochána will enter into arrangements for the engagement of a private sector concern for the purposes of the provision and operation of a nationwide programme for the detection of speeding offences. The strategy makes clear that the overall performance criteria to be applied to the outsourced detection of speeding offences would be determined by the Garda Síochána and these would be guided by the use of camera detection facilities at locations where the Garda Síochána determine that there is an established or prospective risk of collisions. The purpose of the initiative would be to increase road safety and thereby reduce death and injuries, not increase revenue.

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, has examined how the provision, operation and processing of the output of speed cameras might operate. Among the issues considered by the working group were the benefits and financial aspects of outsourcing and the management of any outsourcing project. The working group has submitted its report to me and my colleague, the Minister for Transport, and we are examining it with a view to bringing proposals to Government.