Kilkenny speed camera row reignites in Dáil amid 'staggering' number of fines
Deputy George Lawlor urged the Government to rescind thousands of fines and penalty points linked to the Glenmore speed camera, but Tánaiste Simon Harris insisted motorists should "slow down"
A fresh row over the controversial Glenmore static speed camera played out in the Dáil last week after Deputy George Lawlor renewed calls for thousands of speeding fines and penalty points to be rescinded.
The Wexford TD said the Glenmore camera had issued 30,599 speeding fines over an 11-month period, a figure he said dwarfed comparable cameras elsewhere in the country.
He told Tánaiste Simon Harris that there are around 80 static speed cameras nationwide and compared the Glenmore figures with several other locations.
According to Deputy Lawlor, the comparable figures include 15,880 fines in Carlow, 11,476 in Mayo, 3,369 in Cork, 2,925 in Donegal, 1,051 in Limerick, 1,150 in Gorey and 397 in Galway.
"Bear in mind 30,599 fines were issued from Glenmore, which raised €4.9 million," he said.
"This is grossly unfair. The staggering and unexplained disparity in fines issued from one camera to the next makes enforcement look inconsistent and deeply unfair."
Deputy Lawlor said he supports the use of speed cameras but argued motorists have been unfairly penalised because of inadequate signage.
"These are welcome and much-needed cameras. Nobody is arguing against that but people must be fairly treated," he said.
"With 30,599 from one camera in south Kilkenny, something is wrong."
He claimed motorists had lost their driving licences, seen their insurance premiums increase and accumulated multiple penalty points "because of the appalling signage".
Deputy Lawlor called for the fines and associated penalty points to be rescinded.
Responding, Tánaiste Simon Harris said: "What people should do is slow down."
He added that if concerns related to the operation of the camera itself, the matter should be examined.
"If the assertion is the camera is wrong, then I would ask someone to please look into the broken camera," he said.
"If the assertion is that people are speeding and should not be getting a fine, that is not it."
After Deputy Lawlor interjected that the issue was the signage rather than the camera, Mr Harris continued: "Can someone please check this? I am not responsible for the operation of cameras but if the camera is not working, it should be fixed. I presume the Department of Transport can look into that, or the gardaí."
The Tánaiste said the wider purpose of the camera network is to improve road safety.
"The broader issue here of these static cameras making sure our roads are safer is a really important one.
"If our cameras are catching people speeding, and penalty points or fines are being administered, that is Government road safety policy."
The camera, which is located near Glenmore, County Kilkenny, has been the subject of much controversy since its introduction in May 2025.
Several public representatives argued that there was a lack of signage on the approach to the camera, which was leading to people being caught speeding.
Additional signage was erected on the road back in May.