Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated number of locations nationwide where it is anticipated that speed cameras will be located; the estimated cost of establishing such a network of cameras; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6090/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The purpose of the speed camera initiative is to enhance overall road safety and help reduce the numbers of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. The performance criteria to be applied will be determined by the Garda Síochána, and the deployment of cameras will be focused on locations where there is an established or prospective risk of collisions. 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 the safety camera project will commence with approximately 500 to 600 locations countrywide — about 15 to 20 locations per local authority area. Speed checks will take place at these locations at times decided by a matrix which will link the checks to speed related collision data. The number of locations will be increased as necessary to achieve the targeted road safety objectives of increasing compliance with speed limits across the entire road network, reducing the speed of vehicles at locations that have a speed related collision history and acting as a deterrent to driving at excessive speed.

With regard to the cost of implementing speed cameras, the selection of an outsource provider will be made by way of an open and competitive tendering process. In accordance with EU and national procurement guidelines a 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. I am not in a position at this time to indicate to the Deputy the potential cost of the project as this will depend, inter alia, on the tenders received.