Statement by Tommy Broughan TD
Independent - Dublin Bay North
Monday, 18 July 2016
GARDAÍ MUST REDUCE FEES CHARGED TO FAMILIES BEREAVED DUE TO ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISIONS - BROUGHAN
Deputy Tommy Broughan recently asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will introduce legislation to curtail the level of fees being charged by An Garda Síochána to relatives of persons involved in fatal road traffic collisions. In March of this year, we learnt that the families of the eight people fatally injured in a Donegal crash could face bills of up to €10,000 for copies of Garda reports.
The response to Deputy Broughan’s Parliamentary Question stated that fees for Garda abstracts were increased in October 2011 from €41 to €60 and for statements increased from €21 to €40. The Tánaiste stated “while there are currently no plans to introduce legislation on the matter, I understand that An Garda Síochána is examining the current arrangements with a view to ensuring that fees charged to applicants do not become excessive.”
PARC (Promoting Awareness Responsibility and Care on our Roads) road safety group has long campaigned for the abolition of fees which can be a financial burden on families bereaved through road traffic collisions. PARC have met with the Garda Commissioner recently and welcomed reassurances that she will revisit the issue.
Deputy Broughan says “While I understand that An Garda Síochána must recoup some of the administrative costs associated with reproduction of abstracts and reports, I do not agree that this financial burden should fall on the families bereaved by road traffic collisions. There must be some other mechanisms to control the costs and to make such reports available in a timely manner to families going through the Courts.”
ENDS For more information contact Deputy Tommy Broughan at (01) 618 3557
Independent - Dublin Bay North
Monday, 18 July 2016
GARDAÍ MUST REDUCE FEES CHARGED TO FAMILIES BEREAVED DUE TO ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISIONS - BROUGHAN
Deputy Tommy Broughan recently asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will introduce legislation to curtail the level of fees being charged by An Garda Síochána to relatives of persons involved in fatal road traffic collisions. In March of this year, we learnt that the families of the eight people fatally injured in a Donegal crash could face bills of up to €10,000 for copies of Garda reports.
The response to Deputy Broughan’s Parliamentary Question stated that fees for Garda abstracts were increased in October 2011 from €41 to €60 and for statements increased from €21 to €40. The Tánaiste stated “while there are currently no plans to introduce legislation on the matter, I understand that An Garda Síochána is examining the current arrangements with a view to ensuring that fees charged to applicants do not become excessive.”
PARC (Promoting Awareness Responsibility and Care on our Roads) road safety group has long campaigned for the abolition of fees which can be a financial burden on families bereaved through road traffic collisions. PARC have met with the Garda Commissioner recently and welcomed reassurances that she will revisit the issue.
Deputy Broughan says “While I understand that An Garda Síochána must recoup some of the administrative costs associated with reproduction of abstracts and reports, I do not agree that this financial burden should fall on the families bereaved by road traffic collisions. There must be some other mechanisms to control the costs and to make such reports available in a timely manner to families going through the Courts.”
ENDS For more information contact Deputy Tommy Broughan at (01) 618 3557