Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
404. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to urgently address the situation of increasing roads deaths in Ireland; the steps he is taking to increase enforcement; the number of individuals who have received serious injuries from all forms of traffic collisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28513/26]
View answerThe current national framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The Strategy has the target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% this decade, and to achieving Vision Zero—as close as possible to no deaths or serious injuries on Irish roads—by 2050.
The Phase 2 Action Plan 2025–2027 was published in July 2025 comprising 12 primary transformative actions and 77 supporting actions. The Action Plan is being delivered through partnership and collaborative working by road safety stakeholders including An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Transport Authority, the Courts Service, Medical Bureau of Road Safety, Health and Safety Authority and the Local Authorities. Examples of key actions include expanding the use of safety cameras and reviewing and overhauling our learning to drive curriculum.
The detailed Action Plan can be reviewed here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/20250716_RSS_Phase_2_Action_Plan.pdf
In addition, this year, the RSA has again ringfenced funding of €18 million for road safety awareness, education and promotional campaigns focused on making our roads safer for all road users, including and especially vulnerable road users.
As enforcement of road traffic offences is the primary responsibility of An Garda Síochána, I would refer the Deputy to my colleague the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, for enforcement related matters.
Regarding road traffic collision and serious injury data, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 the RSA has a statutory remit to report on fatal, serious and minor injury collisions on public roads. Given the RSA's role in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the RSA for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
My focus as Minister, the focus of my Department and of all the road safety partners with who we work, is on the delivery of the Phase 2 Action Plan. This Action Plan was developed by road safety experts, based on Irish experience and looking at best practice in other countries and our focus must be on the delivery of these agreed actions.
