Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of roadside checkpoints undertaken by the Garda Síochána in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the number of these checkpoints that included armed gardaí and the Garda Air support unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21231/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy without a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.

I am also informed that all members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with the enforcement of relevant legislation. As part of this enforcement policy, members of An Garda Síochána carry out planned and unplanned checkpoints, including those carried out under Operation Anvil and those for the purpose of Mandatory Alcohol Testing.

In the Dublin Metropolitan Region, as part of Operation Anvil, almost 94,000 checkpoints, consisting of uniformed and plain-clothes / armed and unarmed personnel, have been conducted since the Operation commenced in May 2005.

Mandatory alcohol testing (MAT), which was introduced by the Road Traffic Act 2006, is increasing the compliance culture among road users. By detecting incidents of drink driving, it is reducing road traffic fatalities and deterring incidents of alcohol-impaired driving by systematically selecting drivers and assessing their level of alcohol related impairment. MAT checkpoints operate in conjunction with general enforcement of drink driving legislation.

In the recent past, An Garda Síochána have undertaken targeted campaigns directed at use of alcohol and drugs by drivers (December 2007), non-wearing of seat belts (February 2008) and compliance by heavy goods vehicles (March 2008). They will undertake further such campaigns and other initiatives, including specific operations at holiday periods, in the light of what is considered necessary.