Speed detection equipment for Gardaí 'by June'

THE GARDA Traffic Corps is to be supplied with some of its long-awaited, new speed detection equipment by June at the latest - but the equipment, eight new mobile detection vehicles, will do little more than replace the existing fleet of six "gatso vans", it has emerged.

Two further Garda equipment contracts, one for the State-wide deployment of privatised speed cameras, another for up to 100 vehicles fitted with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, remain unfilled.

According to the Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan, the tender process for the privatised cameras "is at an advanced stage, and it is expected that contract negotiations with the preferred bidder will commence shortly".

Answering questions in the Dáil, Mr Lenihan said he could confirm "that it will be proceeding with the outsourcing of a countrywide safety camera network and the financial resources necessary to do so will be provided". He added that the project with its increased cost had now been cleared by Government and that negotiations with a preferred bidder were imminent.

But Mr Lenihan also said no money had been provided for the contract in the 2008 Budget. While this could result in the Government introducing a supplementary estimate later this year, it is thought to be more likely that the roll-out will not now take place until next year.

In relation to the new ANPR vehicles which can detect stolen or written off vehicles in traffic, Mr Lenihan said: "Approval has also been given for the Gardaí to acquire an Automated Number Plate Recognition System for up to 100 Garda vehicles, which among many features, will have a speed detection capability." This contract is currently out to tender.