Labour Transport Spokesperson Tommy Broughan T.D. has welcomed the decision by the government today to finally sign the contract for the rollout of the national speed camera programme.

Deputy Broughan said, "It is incredible that it has taken well over a year to sign this contract given that the preferred bidder Go was selected in early 2008. A national speed camera rollout has been a key commitment of successive governments since former Taoiseach Ahern promised to introduce a new nationwide system more than eleven years ago.

"The Road Safety Authority and the European Transport Safety Council have also made numerous appeals to the government to introduce a national speed camera system as a matter of urgency.

"However, the rollout of 6000 speed camera hours per month from May 2010 is a much needed critical safety programme that will greatly enhance our road safety and protection measures. Given that it has taken years to get this system agreed to by different Ministers and Departments, Ministers Ahern and Dempsey must now ensure that the cameras are fully operational by May 2010 as promised.