Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
372. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the specific actions that are being taken by his Department, and under what timeline, to revitalise and reinforce the Road Safety Authority; particularly in their role to strengthen road safety enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34595/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Roads Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has the statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of road safety and of measures, including the advancement of education, relating to the promotion of the safe use of roads. Enforcement of road traffic offences is first and foremost the responsibility of An Garda Síochána.
In 2024, my Department commissioned Indecon Economic Consultants to conduct an independent, external review of the RSA. This review was presented to Government and the report published in November 2024.
In total, the report made 34 recommendations. At the core of the recommendations was that the operational services run by the RSA should be separated from its research, media campaigns, partnerships and education programmes to improve road safety. A related recommendation was that the RSA’s public interest work should receive Exchequer subvention.
Since the publication of the review, RSA reform activities have been taken forward on a number of fronts. For the first time since 2012, the fees for certain RSA services increased on 1 January 2025 to raise additional revenue and improve the RSA’s financial position; €18m has been specifically ringfenced for annual investment in public interest work for 2025 and 2026; the Road Safety Communications Steering Group was established in December 2024; the Department of Transport took over central responsibility for the coordination of the Road Safety Strategy commencing with the publication of the Phase 2 Action Plan; and, a new Chair and three new ordinary members were appointed to the RSA board during 2025 with a stronger focus on the RSA’s operational mandate. A further four new ordinary members have been appointed to the Board this month.
I decided not to pursue the recommendation to separate out the RSA’s operational and public interest functions as I believe that reform can be delivered more efficiently and effectively from within the existing RSA organisational structure. I have directed my officials to prepare revised reform proposals in line with this decision and these will be presented to Government shortly.
Road safety is a core priority for me and the Government, and work is ongoing to deliver the targets set out in the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The Phase 2 Action Plan 2025–2027 under the Strategy was published in July 2025 and identifies 12 primary and 77 support actions. These actions are being delivered through partnership and collaborative working by road safety experts and stakeholders including the RSA, An Garda Síochána, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Transport Authority, the Courts Service, Medical Bureau of Road Safety, Health and Safety Authority and Local Authorities.
