Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Dooley for his questions. I will begin with his last point on road safety. I welcome his approach to the matter, as it is something that has always been the subject of a high level of bipartisanship from Oireachtas Members. I acknowledge the recognition given to this issue by the former Fianna Fáil Minister, Mr. Noel Dempsey, and the role that he played in introducing important legislation.

Most days, the first thing I look at is what has happened on our roads the previous night. We all remember hearing about the terrible deaths of five people last weekend. I do not have the figure for the trend as of today but, as of earlier this week, the number of deaths so far this year was unchanged compared with last year or represented an improvement of one, that is, one fewer person had lost his or her life on the road. However, I must be clear - I see little cause to rejoice about this. While we all heartily welcome the fact that fewer families have to deal with the loss of life or serious injury on our roads, far too many people are still the victims of road accidents, losing their lives or receiving serious injuries. We must redouble our efforts and ensure that we deal with the issue constantly, given that it is such an important priority.

Regarding the Deputy's particular point on funding, the Road Safety Authority, RSA, is in transition. Over the next year or so, it will become entirely or almost entirely self-funding due to the level of revenue it raises from the services that it is involved in delivering. As this happens, there will be a decrease in the current funding that my Department makes available to it. I am certain that the organisation has the people and funding to do the work that is necessary.

As to my two priorities, I will first deal with the issue of driving while intoxicated by drugs. I will address this matter through a further road traffic Bill. It is a major issue, particularly in terms of polydrug use, that is, where alcohol and drugs are combined. Polydrug use is leading to behaviour on our roads that is contributing to the number of lives lost. Second, and to answer a further question of the Deputy's, I will chair a meeting in the coming weeks of Ministers from other Departments as well as the acting Garda Commissioner with a view to examining the implementation of measures that have already been agreed.

Regarding the Deputy's point about my Department's overall funding, total capital spending will be €950 million in 2015.

When we strip out one-off sources of funding that went in, such as stimulus funding and funding for storm relief, we can see that the baseline figure has increased by €50 million since the start of the budgetary cycle this time last year.

Deputy Dooley made an important point about the funding that is available for national, local and regional roads. Some €598 million will be available next year. This figure is broadly unchanged by comparison with the figure a year ago. I agree with the Deputy's broader point about the need for funding to be put in place for national infrastructure as our economy grows. My Department recently made a public statement on the strategic framework for investment in land transport. This report shows that our investment in land transport is now below the European norm. It is below the norm in many of the countries with which we compete. My job over time will be to increase our average level of funding towards the average we believe is necessary to fund a growing economy and a safe infrastructure. While we have taken a step in that direction by bringing some of the one-off funding into our base funding for this year, much more remains to be done.

I was also asked about the funding that has been made available to Tourism Ireland. Both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland have managed to find savings within their own organisations. I would expect any State body to do this standard efficiency work. I am confident that both bodies have the funding needed to advertise our tourist attractions here in Ireland. I saw an example of their work - the advertising campaign they are running for the Wild Atlantic Way - when I was at the Flavours of Ireland event in London two weeks ago.