Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the development of a citizen reporting portal for road traffic offences to enable persons to upload photographic and video evidence including of drivers illegal parking on paths, in cycle lanes and close passing of persons cycling in order that An Garda Síochána can investigate in line with the Vision Zero, the road safety strategy for 2021-2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16224/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy, including the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, and the promotion and advancement of road safety, falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport. An Garda Síochána plays a vital role in enforcing road traffic law and in making our roads safer for all road users, including vulnerable road users, such as cyclists.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.

I am advised by Minister Ryan that the protection of vulnerable road users is prioritised in the new Road Safety Strategy. Protecting vulnerable road users involves a range of actions aside from legislative and law enforcement measures. Improvements in infrastructure, such as dedicated cycle lanes, will reduce the danger by keeping vulnerable road users separate from motorized traffic. The Government has committed to investing up to €1.8 billion in cycling and walking infrastructure during its lifetime. I understand that the Road Safety Authority also engages in public information and education initiatives to raise driver awareness of the specific risks to vulnerable road users.

As regards the establishment of a dedicated online portal for the submission of video evidence of potential violations of road traffic legislation, the Deputy may be aware that the current Traffic Watch facility allows for members of the public to report driver behaviour to An Garda Síochána. Matters reported via this facility are forwarded to the relevant District Office for investigation. Similarly, citizens may make complaints to any member of An Garda Síochána or through the Garda website.

Under Action 29 of the Road Safety Strategy, An Garda Síochána will explore the potential of an online portal for road users to upload footage of road traffic offences which could assist in prosecution. This action is due to be completed by Q4 of this year.

As the Deputy will appreciate, there are strict standards in legislation relating to photographic evidence obtained by Gardaí. While An Garda Síochána has confirmed that private dash cam footage may be used during a prosecution, its use must be in accordance with best evidential practices and entails ensuring structures exist around continuity of evidence.

The Department of Transport has further advised that any decision to allow film by members of the public to be used in evidence in road traffic cases would raise questions of reliability of, and possible tampering with, the apparatus used, as well as potential privacy issues. It might also raise questions about why Garda apparatus was held to a standard not required of private individuals, if both were ultimately to be treated as reliable evidence.

Road traffic enforcement remains a core policing function of An Garda Síochána. The Garda National Roads Policing Bureau ensures a consistent approach to road safety and enforcement of road traffic legislation across the country. This is achieved through coordination of enforcement measures and development of policy based on research and analysis of statistics and by engaging in campaigns in partnership with other State Agencies, notably the Road Safety Authority.

It is also important to emphasise that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, in addition to the employment of specific enforcement operations.

I would of course encourage any member of the public to report any incidents of dangerous driving directly to An Garda Síochána.