Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of inspections carried out in 2007 and 2008 by the Garda Síochána in the Dublin area, and from Clondalkin and Ronanstown stations in particular, to verify that vans carrying goods for third parties had appropriate insurance to carry such goods; the regularity with which such inspections are carried out; the number of prosecutions taken as a result of such inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38133/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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All members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with the enforcement of relevant traffic legislation, including the Road Traffic and Road Transport Acts. This may occur as part of specific road traffic law enforcement activity or of general policing activity. As part of this activity, members of An Garda Síochána carry out planned and unplanned checkpoints, including those carried out under Operation Anvil and mandatory alcohol testing checkpoints.

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.

An Garda Síochána has increased, as part of a multi-agency approach, enforcement in the area of road haulage, so as to identify unlicensed haulage activity and non-compliance by road hauliers with relevant legislation. In this regard a series of initiatives has taken place during 2008. An Garda Síochána also conducts on an ongoing basis initiatives to increase driver awareness and promote an improved compliance culture among road-users.