Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
50. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the actions he intends to take to strengthen national road-safety governance; if he will review the current distribution of responsibilities across agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44584/26]
View answerRoad safety is a core priority for me and the Government and the 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 under the Strategy was published in July 2025. In total, the Phase 2 Plan contains 12 primary and 77 support actions, with the potential to deliver truly transformative change. Actions are being delivered through partnership and collaborative working by road safety stakeholders.
The Road Safety Strategy is based on the internationally recognised “Safe Systems” approach, which endorses the model used in Ireland and is best practice in Europe, where multiple road safety partners work together to deliver improvements.
My Department is responsible for the central co-ordination of the Road Safety Strategy and implementation of the Phase 2 Action Plan is overseen at Ministerial level by the Road Safety Leadership Group (RSLG). I chair this Group which is attended by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. This Group also comprises senior officials from all key road safety partners 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
The Group oversees implementation of the Strategy. Action owners are required to report quarterly on actions in their areas and the RSLG meets quarterly to review these updates and to discuss progress on the delivery of the 12 Primary Actions. Additional updates as required are provided on the 77 support actions.
A Road User Safety Forum is also in place and gives a range of road user and road safety advocates an opportunity to contribute to the Phase 2 Action Plan.
I believe the current structures are the most appropriate for delivery of road safety improvements under the Government's Road Safety Strategy - under the best practice "Safe Systems" approach, road safety is a partnership, not led by any one person or office.
My focus as Minister, the focus of my Department and of all the road partners with who we work with, is on the delivery of the Phase 2 Action Plan. This Action Plan was developed by road experts, based on Irish experience and looking at best practice in other countries. I will always consider suggestions for additional actions that may lead to road safety improvements, but our focus must be on the delivery of agreed actions. rather than changes to oversight structures.
In line with other public bodies the RSA is subject to the Code of Practice on the Governance of State Bodies. In that regard, an oversight agreement is in place between my Department and the RSA which sets out the roles and responsibilities of the RSA. As part of this oversight structure my Department holds four oversight meetings - one per quarter - annually with the RSA where the RSA reports on all areas of its work. These quarterly meetings are complemented by monthly operational updates for all of the RSA's services and significant projects, which my officials review and interrogate.
I am strongly of the view that reform of the RSA within its current overall structure remains necessary. In this regard, my Department has developed new proposals for reforming the RSA while maintaining one organisation and these will be brought to Government for approval shortly.
