Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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184. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality , further to Parliamentary Question No. 308 of 27 January 2015, if she will provide her reassurance that the Garda Commissioner will be requested to assign new gardaí to traffic duty to ensure the correct and safe policing of our roads; and her views on the establishment of a dedicated Garda traffic police with An Garda Síochána for traffic policing duties alone, in view of the death and casualty rates on Irish roads. [5312/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including the Traffic Corps, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

The Deputy will also be aware that I have no direct role in operational road traffic enforcement which is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I can, however, assure the Deputy that one of An Garda Síochána's strategic objectives is to provide a safe environment for all road users and enforcement remains high and determined throughout the country.

While all operational Gardaí may, as the need arises, enforce road traffic legislation, the Garda National Traffic Bureau (GNTB) formulates policy in line with the Road Safety Strategy and oversee traffic policing throughout the state. Operational Traffic Corps Units based in each Garda Division implement the polices developed by GNTB and enforce road traffic legislation.

As I have previously stated in my answer to the Deputy on the 27 January 2015, on attestation of the new recruits, the Garda Commissioner will assign each of these to Garda stations throughout the country and the needs of the Garda Traffic Corps will be considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda Stations and Units throughout the country.