Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in terms of promoting road safety and in reducing road deaths and injuries, his views on the situation whereby the duties of the traffic corps are not ringfenced to road safety enforcement only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35999/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I announced the establishment of the Garda traffic corps in November 2004. A strategic review of traffic policing was also published on that date. In line with the recommendations contained in that review, an assistant commissioner, traffic, was appointed on 22 February 2005.

Between now and 2008, the traffic corps will increase its numbers to a complement of 1,200 on the following phased basis: 2006, 805; 2007, 1,030; and 2008, 1,200.

The assistant commissioner, traffic, has been tasked with implementing the recommendation contained in the strategic review of traffic policing in line with the implementation plan contained in the report, which covers a three and a half to four year period.

Garda traffic corps personnel are engaged in achieving the strategic objectives contained in the strategic review which are to contribute to reducing road fatalities and casualties; improve traffic flow; enforce road traffic legislation effectively and consistently; enforce road transport and haulage legislation effectively and consistently using available technologies; provide appropriate policing support and response to the national development plan provisions relating to traffic and transport; and provide a systematic and structured road traffic collision service, and provide accurate, timely and sufficiently detailed information to key stakeholders.

While the members of the Garda Síochána assigned to the traffic corps are specifically dedicated to traffic duties, they remain full police officers and as such retain the general responsibility for preventing and detecting crime which all members of the Garda Síochána have. Similarly, members of the Garda Síochána not members of the traffic corps have the responsibility, inter alia, to deal with traffic duties when breaches of road traffic law occur. Gardaí spend two years training at the Garda College. The focus of such training is on all areas of policing. Garda management will not allow a situation to arise where the establishment of the traffic corps would lead to the gardaí who are members of it having no regard to other policing duties regardless of seriousness if and when they arise in the course of carrying out their duty, and similarly, gardaí who are not members not having regard to traffic policing duties. The allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.