Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

This is a serious situation and I appreciate the help of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Does the Minister agree the appalling number of collisions and fatalities this year is a cause for dismay? There have been 107 fatal collisions so far this year, as against 109 last year. This is the first year for a number of years that we are slipping back on our road safety targets. The last three months, March, April and May 2009, have seen higher numbers of horrific fatalities than the comparable time last year.

Does the Minister agree with the chairman of the Road Safety Authority when he castigates him? Is it not remarkable that Mr. Gay Byrne finds it necessary to castigate the Minister of the Department he serves because of a cut back of €2.3 million in the advertising budget? The advertisements last year played a huge role in diminishing road casualties but this year we are cutting back on the advertising budget. Mr. Byrne has said the Minister suffers from the awful sin of complacency. Is that not true? The Minister is complacent while casualties and fatalities are rising.

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