Written answers

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Road Traffic Offences

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the use of on-bus cameras to detect drivers illegally using bus lanes; and his plans to introduce the practice. [21316/20]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department is aware of the introduction in a number of other jurisdictions of both on-board bus cameras and fixed cameras as an automated means of enforcing bus lane restrictions.

Legislative provision for such enforcement in Ireland was put place with Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 provides for the use of cameras by the Gardaí to assist in the detection of certain traffic offences under the Road Traffic Acts. The offences specified include those created under Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 which is the basis for the current Traffic and Parking Regulations covering, among other things, bus lane restrictions. This provision is currently being used, for example in enforcing speed limits in the Dublin Port Tunnel, by means of administrative arrangements put in place by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Gardaí.

My Department recognises, however, that the success of bus priority measures is an essential component in people moving from cars to more sustainable modes of transport, thereby reducing emissions and congestion. It is therefore necessary to ensure that we have the best possible system for enforcement of the rules on bus lanes, particularly in the context of BusConnects.

We are aware that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has raised some issues with the current legislative provisions and officials in my Department are currently engaging with the NTA on how these may be resolved, including through additional legislation, improved administrative arrangements or otherwise, taking account of the wider legal framework.

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