Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is nothing worse than turning on the news and the first item covers the most recent road deaths. Unfortunately, this is all too regular an occurrence. We listen to families speaking about the tragic and heartbreaking loss of a loved one. Even though the devastation is so visible, road deaths continue to soar. Road fatalities increased from 155 in 2022 to 184 in 2023 and there have been over 60 road deaths this year. Behind each of these figures, there is a family who are absolutely devastated by the loss of a loved one. One solution is enforcement. Information received by my colleague Deputy Martin Kenny stated that as of the end of February 2024, there were 627 members assigned to the Garda road policing unit compared with 623 in 2017. That is an increase of only four gardaí in the road policing unit in seven years. Surely even the Minister of State will admit this is an appalling failure and shows that the Government has failed to act with any urgency on road safety.

The majority of road users are safe and responsible. However, for those who continue to engage in dangerous behaviours which are risking their own lives and the lives of those around them, we need to see enforcement of current road legislation. The solutions are there and Government must act to deliver the change that is needed.

Speaking of those who drive irresponsibly on our roads, the Government has failed to tackle the issue of scramblers scourging our communities. Scramblers are driven at speed, sometimes on one wheel, on roads, green spaces and paths putting the rider's safety and that of other people in jeopardy. For too long, the Government has failed to tackle the use of these bikes which has resulted in fear in our communities. I know how much of an issue it is in my area of Dublin Mid-West. Many people feel frightened, unsafe and intimidated by the rogue use of scrambler bikes in public areas which should be shared spaces for everybody to enjoy safely.

Sinn Féin has consulted with communities on this issue and those communities feel let down by the Government's failure to act. They feel their pleas for support have been ignored. We call on the Government to tackle the issue of scramblers for once and for all, and to make our communities safe again.

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