Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the work of the persistent offenders task force in respect of traffic offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11540/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no persistent offenders' task force dealing with traffic offenders. The Garda Síochána is committed to making all traffic offenders amenable for their actions, in particular, those who persistently commit breaches of driving regulations and other offences which impact on road safety. Through its enforcement activities the Garda Síochána aims to improve driving behaviour and bring about a greater compliance culture, leading to a reduction in the number of persons killed and injured on the roads.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if non-residents driving foreign registered cars are currently prosecuted under the on-the-spot fine system; if not, the way in which penalties are applied to this group of drivers; the statistics available to him on the number of such penalties in any given time period in respect of this driver category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11541/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the legislation underpinning the fixed charge system requires a motorist who allegedly commits a fixed charge offence to be issued with a fixed charge notice. Before a prosecution may be instituted the person must have failed to pay the fixed charge notice within the statutory period. Statistics are not compiled in such a way as to identify the number of non-residents driving foreign registered vehicles who have been issued with fixed charge notices.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of speed checks, excluding those checked by static cameras, carried out on motorways in the past year for which statistics are available. [11542/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics are not compiled in such a way as to indicate the number of speed checks carried out on motorways. The safety of Garda personnel operating the speed checks and the motoring public are a primary consideration when deciding where to locate a speed check.