Private sector role on speed cameras

Gardaí have taken the first step towards involving the private sector in the deployment and operation of a network of speed cameras around the country.

In a statement yesterday, gardaí said they had formally placed a request for information on the Government's procurement website for the provision of speed cameras.

"The Government Road Safety Strategy proposes that An Garda Síochána will enter into arrangements for the engagement of a private sector for the purpose of the provision and operation of a nationwide programme for the detection of speeding offences.

"To that end, a request for information in relation to the provision of safety cameras has been placed on November 24th, 2006. This is the first step in a process which will see safety cameras provided at a large number of locations throughout the country," the Garda Press Office statement said.

It said the cameras would be used to increase compliance with speed limits across the entire road network and to reduce speed at locations that either have a history of speed-related accidents or were of a type where frequent collisions take place.

Last year, the then minister of state at the Department of Transport, Ivor Callely, told the Dáil a working group had acknowledged the necessity of engaging the private sector.