Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the progress made to date in relation to the introduction of speed cameras nationwide as set out in the National Road Safety Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16269/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is pursuing the commitment given in the Road Safety Strategy to introduce a network of privatised speed cameras. 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 has been presented to the Government, makes a series of recommendations, which include proposals that will require the introduction of changes to the current Road Traffic Acts.

The Government recently approved the priority drafting of a new Road Traffic Bill which will contain the necessary legislative provisions to provide for the private operation of speed cameras. It is intended that the Bill will be published during the current Dáil session.

The Department for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has commenced the tendering process to select an operator. This work will run in parallel to my Department's legislative efforts.

Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Transport if he intends to introduce additional targeted measures to reduce the level of road deaths among non-nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16201/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Safety Council is the agency mandated with responsibility for road safety advertising and education. The Council has now published road safety leaflets in 8 languages including Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian. The leaflets have been distributed widely through foreign newspapers that are in circulation in this country and throughout the relevant communities. The leaflets are also available to the Gardai for distribution as they see fit.

The Council is also working with its advertising agency on the production of a road safety radio campaign targeting non-nationals along the same lines as the Health Safety Authority advertisements relating to the construction industry. The www.gometric.ie website already displays information in 5 languages, in addition to Irish and English, in relation to the metric speed limit structure that applies on our public road network.

In addition, the Chief Executive designate of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has announced that he intends to talk to the relevant Embassies to discuss what other appropriate measures might be taken to promote road safety awareness and reduce the level of road deaths among non-nationals.