Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the current status of reform of the courts system; the current collaborative measures between the Courts Service, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority; if she will report on any proposed improvements to communications systems between the three; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19364/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, and the conduct of any case is a matter for the presiding judge. Furthermore, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act, 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no direct role in the matter.

I understand, however, that the Deputy's interest specifically relates to the management of road traffic matters in the courts and related interactions between the agencies referred to. The Deputy will appreciate that, in the first instance, road traffic legislation is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Insofar as current collaborative measures are concerned, the Deputy will be aware that Ireland has developed a multi-agency approach to road safety through the involvement of a number of agencies working in partnership. An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service work in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority and other relevant partner agencies and institutions in the development and implementation of the actions and initiatives as set out in the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020. I can assure the Deputy there is ongoing monitoring of actions and measurement of outcomes as part of this Strategy, including under the aegis of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Road Safety, which is chaired by my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The vast majority of road traffic infringements are dealt with by means of the Fixed Charge Processing System and the Penalty Point System. These arrangements have formed a key part in Ireland's Road Safety Strategy for several years and have gained widespread acceptance and contributed to enforcement and reduced serious injury and road fatalities. They represent an efficient and user friendly means of dealing with road traffic infringements with a majority of fixed charges being paid without recourse to court. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that these are large and complex interdependent systems requiring continuous attention and development. I can assure the Deputy that there is ongoing liaison between all of the stakeholders involved at an operational level with a view to addressing any issues that arise, and also in the development of road traffic legislation.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Criminal Justice (Fixed Charge Processing System) Working Group was established in March 2014 to take forward the Garda Inspectorate's recommendations on the operation of the FCPS. The Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and the Road Safety Authority also participate in the Group along with the Revenue Commissioners, Director of Public Prosecutions, the Department of the Environment Community and Local Government, and the Office of the Attorney General. In addition to taking forward the recommendations of the Inspectorate, the Group also provides a further forum for communication and collaboration along the lines referred to by the Deputy and a number of the matters under examination relate to the exchange of information and data between the agencies in question.