Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Transport if additional legislation is needed to allow for the outsourcing of the fixed-charge processing system and the planned outsourcing of the installation and maintenance of the fixed camera system. [30562/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Provision to support the outsourcing of the collection of fixed-charge payments was included in the Road Traffic Act 2004. The extension of both the fixed-charge system and the penalty points system to additional road traffic offences will be progressively commenced once the appropriate Garda Síochána IT processing system is fully operational and related administrative supports are in place. I will make the necessary statutory instruments at that point. The delivery of the IT and related measures are matters for the Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, respectively, and my officials are continuing to work with their counterparts in those agencies to expedite matters as much as possible.

As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 296 on 11 October 2005 in regard to the introduction of a network of private speed cameras, a working group chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and representing my Department, the Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies has carried out an in-depth examination into the issue of the engagement of private sector interests in the operation of speed cameras. The group's report, which has been presented to the Government, makes a series of recommendations which include proposals that will require the introduction of changes to the current Road Traffic Acts. My Department is preparing legislative provisions necessary to support those recommendations and, on the completion of that work, I will include those provisions in an appropriate Bill for the consideration of the House.