Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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14. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to strengthen enforcement of speeding and drink driving laws in view of the increase in fatalities on roads in 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24397/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I would like to acknowledge, at the outset, the serious issue of road traffic fatalities referred to by the Deputy, and I am mindful of the traumatic impact of road traffic collisions on those directly affected and their families, as well as the impact of dangerous driving, more generally on the quality of life of residents in local communities across the country.

The Deputy will appreciate that road traffic enforcement is an operational matter and, as such, is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. The Commissioner is also responsible for the allocation of all Garda resources, including personnel. As such, it is not open to me as Minister for Justice and Equality to comment on such matters. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have requested an up to date report from the Garda authorities in relation to road traffic enforcement and I will forward this report to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.

Insofar as road traffic enforcement is concerned generally, An Garda Síochána's Roads Policing Operations Plan 2016 incorporates a programme of high visibility road safety and enforcement operations, carried out in partnership with other state agencies, and is being implemented by each Regional Traffic Superintendent. The focus of the Roads Policing Operations Plan for 2016 is on the most vulnerable road user categories of motor cyclists, pedal cyclists, pedestrians and learner permit holders. Garda operations specifically target road use behaviour known to contribute significantly to collisions, including speeding, driving while intoxicated, and use of a mobile phone.

Road traffic legislation is also enforced as part of the day to day duties of members of An Garda Síochána. Both targeted and general methods of enforcement have a valuable role to play in An Garda Síochána's enforcement programme, which targets locations with a view to preventing the commission of offences, detecting errant motorists, changing their behaviour and ultimately reducing death and injuries on our roads.

An Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 also sets out key strategic objectives for Roads Policing which will inform and guide An Garda Síochána’s Road Policing plans over the next 5 years. The Deputy is no doubt aware of the significant investment in Garda resources currently underway. This investment is closely associated with delivery on the Modernisation and Renewal Programme.

Ireland has, over a number of years, developed a multi-agency approach to road safety through the involvement of a number of agencies working in partnership, under the aegis of a Road Safety Strategy led by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Ireland's current Road Safety Strategy covers the period 2013-2020 and seeks to close the gap between Ireland and the safest countries in the European Union and beyond. Progress in relation to the actions and outcomes set out in this strategy are monitored on an ongoing basis by the Road Safety Authority and the other agencies involved, and overseen at a Ministerial Committee on Road Safety.