Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on using the imminent comprehensive speed camera system to enforce bus lane compliance; and to make non-compliance a penalty point offence subject to an automatic fine. [1338/07]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is intended to maximise the use of the comprehensive speed camera system to achieve objectives other than speed traffic enforcement, for instance to help improve traffic management and traffic flows; and if this system will be linked to the traffic control system for Dublin or other cities. [1340/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.

The purpose of the safety 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 An Garda Síochána, and the deployment of cameras will be focused on locations where there is an established or prospective risk of collisions. 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 monitoring will take place on the basis of a matrix which will link the monitoring 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.

There are no plans, at this time, to use the proposed safety camera system to enforce bus lane compliance. Driving a vehicle (other than a taxi in the course of business) in a bus lane during the period of operation is a fixed charge offence with effect from 3 April, 2006 strictly enforced by An Garda Síochána. Provision in legislation for the award of penalty points for offences such as bus lane non-compliance is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport.

The requirements of a system to monitor the individual speed of vehicles and one to gain broader information with a view to traffic management obviously differ and I am informed that it is not currently envisaged that the safety camera system will be used for traffic management or linked to the traffic control system in Dublin or other cities.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 278: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the percentage of people who have been detected committing penalty point offences who opt to go to court rather than pay the fixed charge. [1345/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is currently being researched and will be submitted at an early date. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of orders per month permitting mandatory alcohol testing signed by senior Gardaí for the morning after period that is approximately 6.00 am to midday; and the monthly average number of orders signed and utilised and their average duration. [1348/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is currently being researched and will be submitted at an early date. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.