Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

If the Deputy looks at our expenditure on local roads in particular, he will see that the vast majority goes on smaller works. As I set out in my opening statement, I believe we are only expending €70 million or the like in respect of new roads. Most of the expenditure is on simpler measures that can make a profound difference, for example, introducing footpaths and traffic calming measures.

Speed limits are critical. Most of the fatalities we are seeing do not tend to be on motorways and other primary roads. They are occurring on secondary, regional roads. The reduction in speed limits will play an important role in that respect. Many roads have 100 km/h limits that should be 80 km/h, many have 80 km/h limits that should be 60 km/h. In many of our villages and towns, the limit should move from 50 km/h to 30 km/h. This will not be popular and, when it happens, it will be controversial but these reductions are an essential part of the mix.