Traffic corps to be on streets within months, says Brennan

Dublin is to have the State's first civilian traffic corps within months, under a deal being worked out between the Ministers for Justice and Transport.Commenting on the issue yesterday, the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, said he hoped to see such a body established on a one-year trial basis in Dublin's central business district within months.

The ministers, who met last week to discuss a non-Garda traffic corps, agreed to push for the pilot programme in the central business district which roughly equates to the city centre.

According to Mr Brennan, Mr McDowell is "speaking to the gardaí about the issues involved and I am seeking funding".

Mr Brennan said, however, that key aspects of the scheme had been agreed. These included the fact that the new corps would not have powers of arrest, which would remain with the Garda. The traffic corps would be subject to the Garda and would assist the force in areas such as traffic patrol, paperwork and stewarding.

The corps would have distinctive uniforms, making them instantly recognisable to motorists.

Mr Brennan also said the Cabinet will discuss the new taxi regulation legislation tomorrow as the protest by taxi-drivers gets under way in the city.

The heads of the Bill have already been approved by Cabinet and Mr Brennan said it could be enacted by July.

The Bill would transfer power for the regulation of taxi services to the regulator from local authorities. Items covered by the regulator would include car standards as well as driver standards, knowledge of the city and facilities such as taxi ranks.

However, the National Taxi Drivers' Union has dismissed the Minister's assertion that the new Bill could be enacted before the end of July.

"We were told that it would be immediate, 2½ years ago. The Taoiseach said before October, when he was interviewed on the steps of the Treasury building before the last election.

"We don't believe it anymore," said union spokesman Mr Vincent Kearns.