TRAFFIC CAMERAS DESIGNED to detect motorists speeding, unlawfully driving in bus lanes, and breaking red lights could be rolled out in Dublin by the end of the year, Fine Gael TD Naoise Ó Muirí said today.

Ó Muirí, a former Lord Mayor of Dublin City, said he has received confirmation from the Department of Transport that the first National Safety Camera Strategy will be completed early this year.

Earlier this month, junior transport minister Seán Canney confirmed to Ó Muirí in reply to a parliamentary question that “work on the first National Safety Camera Strategy is now at an advanced stage” and the strategy is expected to be approved shortly.

The strategy will have the flexibility to include enforcement of other offences in the future.

Ó Muirí welcomed the strategy but said it has been too long in the pipeline.

“The delay we have seen in the rollout of these cameras is disappointing and road safety is suffering as a result.

“The increased deployment of safety cameras is a key action to be delivered as part of the all-of-Government Road Safety Strategy, but as road deaths have risen to the highest level in over a decade, there is a clear and urgent need for the installation of cameras to be prioritised and accelerated,” he said.

The Dublin Bay North TD added that road users will be familiar with the “shockingly common” running of red lights.

“The National Transport Authority must move quickly to develop and deploy cameras in urban and rural locations across the country,” he said.

The government has been working alongside the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Road Safety Authority and gardaí on how best to implement the strategy