Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport and Communications, Martin Kenny TD, has today called on the Minister for Justice to explain the failure by her Department to provide legal standing for the use of GoSafe vans in the detection of dangerous driver behaviour aside from speeding.

His comments come as Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hillman today confirmed to the Oireachtas Transport Committee that the stationary vans do have the necessary technology to detect driver phone use and seatbelt wearing, however there is currently no legal basis for the use of this technology.

Speaking following the Committee meeting today, Teachta Kenny said:

“Technology absolutely has its place in detecting dangerous driver behaviour. As we continue to grapple with rising road fatalities and falling Garda numbers, we need to utilise it with the correct safeguards in place.

“When I discussed this with Assistant Garda Commissioner Hillman today, she informed the Committee that the GoSafe vans currently do have the capability to detect mobile phone use and seatbelt wearing.

“Yet, those features are not being utilised as there is no clarity from the Department of Justice or Department of Transport on whether there is a legal basis to do so currently.

“Fine Gael have held the justice portfolio for more than a decade and the regularly make pronouncements that road safety is a priority. They have had more than ten years to get the basics right in justice and they have failed.

“Road deaths have been rising since 2023, and in fact we are now seeing it reach epidemic proportions. We cannot expect Gardaí to keep people safe on our roads when this government fails to resource them properly.”