154. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of checkpoints that were located and completed at district level for the period 1 January to 14 January 2026; the number of arrests made, breath samples taken and significant detections made relating to speeding and mobile phone use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5964/26]

Sentiment score: 0.15

This question asks the Minister the number of checkpoints located and completed during a period in January, the number of arrests made, the significant detections made relating to speeding, mobile phone use and other road traffic infractions such as heavy goods vehicles travelling on roads when they should not be.

Sentiment score: -0.13

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an bhfreagra sin. I am asking this question in the context of persistent road safety concerns raised with me by constituents and, I would say, all road users. There is a growing perception in my constituency - I am sure we see it around the country - that behaviour on the road has deteriorated, significantly in some cases, and aggressive and risky manoeuvres are more commonplace. There are issues with vehicles breaking red lights at signalised junctions and dangerous U-turns at intersections with filtered traffic signals. As the Minister alluded to, the extent of offences detected by An Garda Síochána is significant and I commend its work. There are other, more persistent issues, such as heavy good vehicles on roads in my constituency like Newcastle Road, Aylmer Road and Kennelsfort Road. Technology can be used to detect such vehicles on those roads, was done quite successfully in London through the London lorry control scheme. Is there any scope to introduce a similar scheme here to free up Garda resources to focus on safe driver behaviour?

Sentiment score: 0.22

I agree entirely and I commend the Garda on the significant resources it has put in. The new information the Minister has given me suggests it is maintaining these checkpoints at a similar rate to that achieved in December and I commend that. However, his information also shows the extent of Garda hours being spent on checkpoints. My question focuses on whether there is a role for technology to free up that Garda time to focus elsewhere. The Minister mentioned additional speed cameras, both static and mobile. I welcome them but I encourage him to consider more consistent checks, as was done in London with regard to heavy goods vehicles on roads in urban areas. That is a matter of concern, especially for people whose children walk to school on congested roads like Newcastle Road, Kennelsfort Road, Palmerston Road or Aylmer Road in Newcastle. This improves the compliance of vehicles on those roads and frees up Garda hours. The Minister mentioned the use of drone technology to track vehicles. The Garda needs to consider how to use technology to free up hours for the high-value tasks that are important to protecting people and keeping them safe on our roads.

Sentiment score: 0.42