Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 807: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the roll out of the national speed camera programme; the stage the tendering process is at; if all contracts have been signed; the terms of the contract, that is, the number of speed cameras that will be in place and the number of hours of speed monitoring that will occur each month; the cost of the project; the deadline for full implementation of the nationwide programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29062/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Following a two stage tender and evaluation process, a preferred bidder has been selected. Following a cooling off period in accordance with standard procurement procedures, the intention is that An Garda Síochána will shortly commence contract discussions with the preferred bidder. A roll-out of the network of cameras would commence following conclusion of a contract. Roll-out would involve a service start-up phase, which would include drawing up policy and procedures by the service provider and their approval by An Garda Síochána; service testing, following which the Garda Commissioner would issue a service commencement certificate; and roll-out of the service until operating at full capacity.

Every effort is being made to proceed with the project as speedily as possible. However, I am not in a position to indicate a specific timescale for the project until the contract discussions are concluded.

In addition to the camera network, significant resources are being provided to enforce road traffic law and thereby increase road safety. As well as increases which have taken place in personnel for the Traffic Corps, there has also been a significant increase in the financial resources provided for road traffic equipment, including for the replacement and upgrading of current mobile speed detection equipment and the introduction of an automated number plate recognition system.