Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If the families are present, I will meet them briefly after this debate and will also arrange a proper meeting at a time that is convenient for them to discuss the matter further.

On the track record of the country in regard to road safety, this and previous Governments have focused on dealing with the horrendous loss of life on the roads.

I would point to the setting up of the Road Safety Authority and the recent strategy established for it that has 144 actions. I meet with the authority regularly to examine the implementation of these actions. Several weeks ago, I met with its board to discuss this very issue.

At the nadir of this horrendous loss of life on our roads, 115 people lost their lives in 2001. In 2014, the total number of deaths on our roads has come down substantially. Still, too many people lose their lives on our roads. I have explained to the Deputy the constraints of our legal and courts system within which we must operate. I will meet the family after this, and my Department will do so again. I understand the family’s intention is to reduce the chance that the grief they have experienced will be inflicted on other families.

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