Written answers

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Department of Justice and Equality

Road Traffic Offences

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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539. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if resources will be allocated directly to the Garda Síochána traffic corps, given recent worrying reports of the low conviction rates for drink driving offences; if she envisages any changes to the Courts Service Act 1998, given the low level of convictions of drink driving prosecutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37481/15]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that road traffic legislation, including the relevant provisions for the prohibition of driving while under the influence of an intoxicant or of exceeding alcohol limits, is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I can assure the Deputy that there is regular interaction between all the relevant agencies in relation to the ongoing review and development of road safety matters.

The Deputy will also appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including the Traffic Corp, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources. It is important to note that roads policing is the duty of every Garda member, this duty is not reserved for Garda members of the Traffic Corps Units. As part of this enforcement policy members of An Garda Síochána carry out planned and ‘ad hoc’ checkpoints as required, including mandatory alcohol testing (MAT) checkpoints.

Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. The Deputy may be aware that the Courts Service recently indicated that in relation to cases fully heard and decided upon by the District Courts average conviction rates for drink driving offences in recent years are between 85-88%. Such outcomes are a matter which is wholly the responsibility of the courts and as the Deputy will appreciate judges are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. I currently have no plans to amend the Courts Service Act 1998.

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