Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals in regard to the privatisation of speed cameras; the way in which he will ensure that the proposal will not end up as simply a money making venture; and when he will bring forward legislation in this regard. [29066/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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A working group chaired by my Department and representing the Department of Transport, the Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies, carried out an in-depth examination into the engagement of private sector interests in the provision and operation of speed cameras. On the basis of the group's report, my colleague, the Minister for Transport, and I presented proposals to Government in July for the outsourcing to the private sector of the provision and operation of speed cameras under the supervision and direction of the Garda Síochána. Our proposals were accepted by Government and work has commenced on their implementation.

The proposals will require the introduction of changes to the current Road Traffic Acts. The Department of Transport is currently preparing legislative provisions necessary to support those recommendations, and on the completion of that work my colleague, the Minister for Transport, will bring proposals to Government with a view to having provisions included in an appropriate Bill for the consideration of the House. The Garda Síochána, as the traffic law enforcement agency in the State, will be responsible for the outsourcing project and has commenced work in preparation for the necessary tendering process. My Department and the Department of Transport are participating in this work.

The purpose of this initiative is solely to enhance overall road safety and help reduce the numbers of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. The performance criteria to be applied will be determined by the Garda Síochána and the deployment of cameras will be focused on locations where there is an established or prospective risk of collisions. The selection of sites for cameras will be identified by the Garda Síochána with the assistance of the National Roads Authority so as to achieve the overall objective of the project which is to save lives, not to increase revenue collection. The private concern which will provide and operate the cameras will have no function with regard to the selection of locations for monitoring.

The introduction and ongoing management of the overall project will be overseen by the Garda Síochána, with the involvement of other key stakeholders. As well as making a significant contribution to road safety, this initiative will release Garda resources so that its enforcement efforts can be concentrated on other motoring offences which cause death and serious injury such as drink driving, dangerous driving and careless driving.