Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress being made in relation to the introduction of legislation to allow for the full roll-out of speed cameras nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36006/05]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Transport when he expects to have legislation passed and commenced providing for the out-sourcing of speed cameras; the safeguards he is proposing to ensure that the measure does not become a revenue raising exercise. [35900/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 87 together.

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 was published by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on website www.justice.ie on 2 August 2005, provides a clear template for the pursuit of this initiative on the grounds of the promotion of road safety.

The group's recommendations include the establishment of clear management structures both at the strategic and operational levels under the general supervision of the Garda Síochána. In addition, it proposes that the Garda Síochána will make the site selection for the placement of cameras with the assistance of the National Roads Authority. The criteria for site selection will be grounded on collision history and the history of speeding incidents. The group has also recommended that there can be no connection between the receipts of fixed charge payments resulting from detections by privately operated cameras and the funding of the operation.

My Department is currently preparing legislative provisions for the necessary amendment of the current Road Traffic Acts to support the engagement of private sector personnel in the detection of speeding offences. On the completion of that work, I will include those provisions in an appropriate Bill for the consideration of the House.