21 February 2007

Transport

Cameras to Enforce Bus Lane Compliance

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce legislation providing for Dublin City Council or Dublin Bus to use cameras to legally enforce bus lane compliance.

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

Under the Road Traffic Acts, enforcement of road traffic offences in relation to all moving vehicle offences, including the regulations in relation to the use of bus lanes, is the responsibility of the Garda Síochána.

Breach of bus lane regulations is an offence under section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994. Section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 (as amended by section 15 of the Road Traffic Act 2004) provides that evidence from camera equipment may be
used by a Garda in prosecution of section 35 offences.

I have no proposals to confer responsibility for the enforcement of bus lane compliance on Dublin City Council or Dublin Bus, as suggested by the Deputy.