Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when tenders to provide and operate safety cameras on roads here will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35923/05]

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 those provisions will be 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. The Garda authorities inform me that they have commenced preparatory work with regard to the tendering process. My Department and the Department of Transport are participating in this work.

Selection of an outsource provider will be made by way of an open and competitive tendering process, and a request for tender document will issue in due course. In accordance with EU and national procurement guidelines this request for tender will be published in the EU Journal and on the Government's procurement website. All tender proposals received will be evaluated on an individual basis in accordance with the criteria set down in the request for tender.