Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
122. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to reduce road deaths in Cork; the measures he is taking to reduce the number of road deaths nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2159/26]
View answer174. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the new measures he intends to implement to prevent road deaths, given the number of fatalities on Irish roads in 2025 was the highest since 2014, and follows a trend of year-on-year increases since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2898/26]
View answer197. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to reducing road deaths and creating safer roads for everyone, in view of the fact that in 2025, there was an 8% increase in road deaths compared to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2785/26]
View answer209. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport given the increase in road deaths in Ireland in 2025, which included a 40% increase of road deaths in Waterford in comparison to 2024, what he attributes this rise to; and his plans to reverse this worrying trend. [2866/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 174, 197 and 209 together.
2025 was a difficult year on Irish roads. 190 people lost their lives marking a significant rise from 2024. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to those families who have lost a loved one on our roads.
Road safety remains a core priority for me and this Government. The fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030 sets a target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by the end of this decade and it shares the EU target of Vision Zero - no road deaths or serious injuries on our roads - by 2050.
In July, I published the Phase 2 Action Plan under the Road Safety Strategy which will run to December 2027. It contains 12 primary and 77 supporting actions, with the potential to deliver real transformative change. All of these actions are grounded in the internationally recognised Safe Systems approach and will be delivered through partnership and collaborative working by road safety stakeholders.
Some of the key actions include –
• investing significantly into new and improved active travel and public transport;
• expanding network safety analysis of the road network to identify high-risk locations, guide investment decisions and prioritise safety interventions including for the local road network;
• implementing in full all actions in the Phase 2 Action Plan based on the 2023 Speed limit review; and
• reviewing and overhauling our learning to drive curriculum.
Progress is being made. In February 2025, the first phase of the speed limit review was introduced, which saw the default speed limit on rural and local roads reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h. In October, local authorities were directed to review existing speed limits on roads in built-up and urban areas. Local authorities will, where appropriate, implement lower speed limits including the introduction of 30 km/h speed limits, such as on roads in cities and towns. Local authorities have been directed to conclude this process and have the new speed limits operational by 31 March 2027.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has full access to collision data under the Road Infrastructure Safety Management Directive and uses this information to conduct detailed analysis on the national road network to prioritise safety investment. A priority for TII is the maintenance of the existing national roads network to ensure it is kept to a safe and robust standard. This involves carrying out extensive analysis of the network to identify high-risk locations, through analysis of collision data and through inspections.
In 2025, funding of €254m was provided through TII for the protection and renewal of the existing national road network. This included funding for various upgrades to improve safety on the national road network in county Cork. In addition, new road projects such as the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy project, which is under construction, will greatly improve safety for all road users.
In addition, in 2025, a ringfenced budget of €18m was set aside by for the RSA for public awareness, communications and education campaigns and a similar budget will be ringfenced for 2026. This will ensure a continued focus on campaigns and educational initiatives with the aim of making our roads safer for all road users.
Key legislative projects are also progressing. The Government has approved the General Scheme of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill, which will restore direct collision data sharing with local authorities to help better inform investment decisions. The Bill will also include an amendment allowing a jury to consider a charge of careless driving where an individual is acquitted of dangerous driving, as recommended by Judge Haughton in his report on the death of Shane O’Farrell.
My Department is also developing the next Road Traffic Bill to fulfil Programme for Government commitments, including in relation to graduated speeding penalties and camera-based enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences. We are also working with the Law Reform Commission to consolidate road traffic law for the first time since 1961, which will provide a clearer legal framework for road traffic law.
Long-standing issues are also being addressed, including in relation to multiple learner permits which, under current rules, allow individuals to repeatedly renew a permit without sitting a driving test. Regulations are now in place to end this practice, with the changes coming in to effect in November 2026.
