Road Safety

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Ceisteanna (734, 798)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

734. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the steps he taking to reduce road deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1665/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

798. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding work ongoing in his Department that seeks to address the number of fatalities on Irish roads; the type of initiatives which are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2358/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 734 and 798 together.

As Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, I must acknowledge that 2025 was an exceptionally difficult year on Irish roads. 190 people lost their lives in 2025 which was an increase on the number of fatalities recorded in 2024. Far too many families and communities have endured tragedy as a result of road traffic collisions. Every life lost reminds us that road safety is not about statistics, it is about people, loved ones, and futures altered in an instant.

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.

Progress is being made. Last February, the first implementation 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. This is in line with Action 5 of the Phase 2 Action Plan and supports the overall objective of the Road Safety Strategy of reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 50% by 2030.

This Government continues to invest significantly in road safety infrastructure and services. Budget 2026 provides €1.72 billion, an increase of €211 million, for national, regional and local roads, which includes safety-focused measures. There has also been a significant increase in spending on public awareness, communications and education campaigns by the RSA. In 2025, a ringfenced budget of €18m was set aside by for the RSA for these activities, and a similar budget will once again be ringfenced in 2026. This will ensure a continued focus on campaigns and educational initiatives with the aim of making our roads safer for all road users.

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 in place to end this practice, with the changes coming in to effect in November 2026.

Key legislative reforms are progressing. Last April, the Government approved the General Scheme of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill, which will allow collision data to be shared with local authorities so blackspots can be identified and safety improvements prioritised. Additional Heads of Bill were approved by Government in December, including an amendment that will allow 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. I expect that a General Scheme for this Bill will be brought to Government in February.