Written answers

Tuesday, 13 February 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Equipment

10:00 am

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 267: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is intended that all aspects of the proposed speed camera system will be outsourced; when this contract will be awarded and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5366/07]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Following the enactment of the Road Traffic Act 2006, the procurement procedure for the provision and operation of safety cameras by a service provider is underway. I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is intended that the service provider will be required to collect and process all data on speeding obtained by the mobile and fixed safety cameras used. The service provider will also be required to process data collected by the safety cameras currently operated by An Garda Síochána.

It is also intended that the service provider will provide all resources, including personnel, for the processing of data obtained, for the purpose of verifying whether or not a speeding offence has taken place in each case and reading the licence plate of each vehicle identified as having been used to commit a speeding offence.

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 Síochána, as the traffic law enforcement agency in the State, will be responsible for the outsourcing project.

Work is well advanced on the procurement procedure. Following the call for expressions of interest, a number of candidates will shortly be awarded pre-qualification status and short-listed to proceed to the next stage. A request for tenders will be made to the short-listed candidates, and the successful candidate will be selected on the basis of the tenders received.

In parallel with this process, work is ongoing with the Garda Síochána and the National Roads Authority on identifying locations that either have a speed related collision history or are of a type where a higher than expected frequency of collisions may be expected to occur. Monitoring of driver speeds by the outsourced service provider will focus on these locations.

I can assure the Deputy that I attach a very high priority to outsourcing and expanding the speed camera network and to ensuring there will be no undue delay in the procurement process. I expect that, subject to negotiations, the contract for safety cameras will be awarded and the start up phase commence as early as possible.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of anti-stab vests currently available for use by members of An Garda Síochána. [5373/07]

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a request for tender has been issued for the provision of anti-stab vests to An Garda Síochána; if not, when such a request for tender will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5374/07]

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 270: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a contract has been signed for the provision of anti-stab vests to An Garda Síochána; if not, when such a contract will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5375/07]

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated or projected timetable for the roll out of anti-stab vests to members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5376/07]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 to 271, inclusive, together.

I am advised by the Garda Authorities that a Request for Tender for the supply and delivery of 11,000 Anti-Stab/Ballistic vests (with an option to purchase an additional 4,000) was published in the EU Journal and the Government's tendering website on 8th May, 2006. These Anti Stab Vests will be provided to all uniform members.

Following completion of the evaluation process, a contract was signed and the fitting and delivery programme commenced on 8th February. Under this programme it is anticipated that in excess of 1,000 vests will be issued to uniform members by the end of this month and distribution will be completed within the next number of months.

In addition, a total of 1,300 ballistic/anti-stab vests have been issued to Detective Gardaí and those employed on a long term basis as aides to Detective Units.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of bullet proof vests currently available for use by members of An Garda Síochána. [5377/07]

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 273: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a request for tender has been issued for the provision of bullet proof vests to An Garda Síochána; if not, when such a request for tender will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5378/07]

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 274: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a contract has been signed for the provision of bullet proof vests to An Garda Síochána; if not, when such a contract will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5379/07]

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 275: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated or projected timetable for the roll out of bullet proof vests to members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5380/07]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 to 275, inclusive, together.

I am advised by Garda Authorities that, to date, an initial 1,300 Ballistic Vests with anti-stab properties have been delivered to the Garda Síochána and that these vests have been issued to Detectives.

A Request for Tender for the supply and delivery of up to 2,100 (an initial supply of 1,500 with an option to purchase a further 600) Ballistic Vests with anti-stab properties was published in the EU Journal and the Government's tendering website on 6th April, 2006. These Ballistic Vests are being provided to Detective Gardaí and those employed on a long term basis as aides to Detective Units.

Following completion of the evaluation process and contract award, a total of 1,300 vests have been delivered. I am further advised that an order has been placed for delivery of an additional 300 Ballistic Vests.

In addition, the Garda authorities have signed a contract for the supply of 11,000 anti-stab/ballistic vests (with an option to purchase an additional 4,000) for issue to all uniform members. Delivery and fit-out of these commenced on 8th February. It is anticipated that in excess of 1,000 vests will be issued to uniformed members by the end of this month and distribution will be completed within the next number of months.

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