John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 471: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the number of Garda checkpoints held in each county for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005; the number of speed related fines or dangerous driving incidences that were issued for each year in the same period; his views on whether the visibility of Garda patrol cars on roads is a deterrent for motorists to travel at high speed; his plans to have unmanned Garda patrol cars parked on roads to deter high speed on the road and the cost to implement such a measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31330/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no data available on the number of checkpoints held in each county for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005. The number of speed related fines and dangerous driving incidences for the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are available in the Garda annual report 2000-2003, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The Garda annual report for 2004 is not yet available.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that they consider high visibility Garda traffic corps patrols are a deterrent for errant motorists. I am also advised that unmarked cars have limited deterrent effect but are used in appropriate circumstances. Unmarked patrol cars are allocated to the Garda traffic corps and the number will be increased as additional gardaí are allocated to the Garda traffic corps in line with the strategic review of traffic policing 2002. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner, who has responsibility for the allocation of Garda resources, that there are no plans to introduce unmanned patrol cars on the roads and streets.

The annual budget provided for the purchase of Garda vehicles, marked and unmarked, is accounted for in the D subhead of the Garda Vote. The actual and budgeted expenditure on the acquisition of Garda vehicles for the years 2000 to 2005 inclusive is as follows.

As the purchase of all Garda vehicles, irrespective of their disposition, must be financed from the funds provided, there is no incremental cost associated with the purchase of such vehicles. Some small operational cost maybe incurred if it is determined to deploy vehicles in such a manner.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking in co-operation with gardaí and local authorities to deal with the problem of anti-social behaviour especially that associated with the building of bonfires in the Dublin 15 area; if he has issued any directive to gardaí to support the local authority, Fingal County Council, in the difficulties it is experiencing with the build-up of material for multiple barbecues and the problems caused to the local authorities on successive bonfire nights in recent years; if extra gardaí will be on duty in the run-up to Hallowe'en, especially in the vicinity of bonfire areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31369/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have held meetings with Fingal County Council in relation to measures to control bonfires. A policing plan was prepared and was in operation over the Hallowe'en period. I understand that where bonfire material is located it is removed by Fingal County Council. I am further informed that additional resources, including public order units, were available over the Hallowe'en period in the area concerned and local Garda management is satisfied that adequate resources were available to address any policing issues arising.