Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if adequate funds will be provided to the gardaí in County Louth for the provision of speed cameras on the approach roads to the towns of Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee. [20139/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government Road Safety Strategy for the period 2004-2006 proposes that 11.1 million vehicle speeding checks be carried out per year by the end of the Strategy. In order to enable this target to be achieved, the Strategy proposes that An Garda Síochána enter into arrangements for the engagement of a private sector concern for the purpose of the provision and operation of a nationwide programme for the detection of speeding offences.

My colleague the Minister for Transport and I presented proposals to Government in July 2005 for the outsourcing to the private sector of the provision and operation of speed cameras under the supervision and direction of the Garda Síochána. Our proposals were accepted by Government. The proposals will require the introduction of changes to the current Road Traffic Acts. The Department of Transport is currently preparing legislative provisions necessary to support those recommendations.

The Garda authorities inform me that the safety camera project will commence with approximately 500 — 600 locations countrywide (about 15-20 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. A mix of mobile and fixed cameras will be used.

I am confident that adequate funding will be provided to implement the project. To retain public support for the safety camera project there will be no linkage to the revenue that may be collected as fixed charges or court fines. The project will focus on its primary objective of reducingexcessive speed and thereby reducing death and serious injury.