Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on making the traffic corps a dedicated force whose duties are strictly in relation to traffic law enforcement; if so, when same will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30594/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy will be aware that I announced the establishment within the Garda Síochána of the Traffic Corps on 23 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.

The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Traffic has been tasked with implementing the recommendations contained in the Strategic Review of Traffic Policing which will see 1,200 personnel attached to the Traffic Corps by 2008. This increase of personnel is taking place on a phased basis as the strength of An Garda Síochána increases to 14,000. At the start of 2006, the total dedicated strength of the Garda Traffic Corps stood at 520 all ranks. The current strength stands at 740, with an additional 60 members to be allocated during the remainder of 2006. These allocations will continue until the target strength of 1,200 is achieved.

I am informed that Garda Traffic Corps personnel are allocated to each Garda Division and are engaged in achieving the strategic objectives contained in the Strategic Review of Traffic Policing which will contribute to reducing road fatalities and casualties, improve traffic flow, enforce road traffic legislation effectively and consistently as well as enforcing road transport and haulage legislation effectively and consistently using available technologies. The Traffic Corps are also engaged in providing appropriate policing support and response to the National Development Plan provisions relating to traffic and transport, providing a systematic and structured road traffic collision service and providing 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 police officers will full powers and as such retain the general responsibility for preventing and detecting crime which all members of An 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. Of particular relevance in the context of the latest reports of the Tribunal are the new draft discipline regulations which have been drawn up. These are based on well-established principles in the private and public sector and are significantly more streamlined than the system which is currently in existence. The next step is for them to undergo consideration by the Garda representative bodies. Also, arising from the most recent reports, on my instructions regulations for a Whistleblower's charter within An Garda Síochána have been drawn up and are being finalised in consultation with the Commissioner, the Ombudsman Commission and Garda Inspectorate, as provided for in Garda Síochána Act 2005.

Change in our national policing service is being pursued in a vigorous but sensible manner — I am conscious of the fundamental importance of getting it right. I intend to do so.