Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very concerned about the increase in the number of road deaths this year, which is up by over 20 on this time last year. We do not know what the final figures for the year will be. It is still a possibility that it will have been the second safest year since records began, but we do not know this for sure. Interestingly, the number of road deaths is up, but the number of serious injuries is down. It is up in all regions, but it is significantly down in the west, for example. The figure for motorcyclists is up, but it is down for other road users. It is difficult to see any clear trend in the numbers.

The question relates to the resources of the Road Safety Authority. It has extensive resources. It also has significant capital reserves that it can dip into if it needs to do so. I do not necessarily believe there is a direct correlation between the level of Garda resources and road safety. For example, Garda traffic corps resources peaked in 2010 when over 200 people died on the roads. I do not believe, therefore, that there is a direct correlation, but I am keen to see greater enforcement. I always makes this point in any interaction I have with the Commissioner or the Minister for Justice and Equality.

See this speech in context