Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This legislation is just another attempt by Government to paper over the cracks of years of underinvestment in road safety. Those years of underinvestment are coming home to roost. The legislation is only a small solution to a much bigger issue. We need increased investment in enforcement, education and the quality of our roads. I acknowledge the hard work done by An Garda Síochána in trying to keep our roads safe. I also acknowledge the hard work that the gardaí do when they are first responders to a scene and they witness some of the most horrific scenes. It is impossible for a layperson like me to imagine what they go through. I recognise them for that. They have been let down by Garda numbers since 2009. There were 1,046 gardaí working in our roads policing units in 2009. Last year, the figure was as low as 655. The Government is introducing new legislation today. I accept that new legislation may be needed but we need to get real here. We need to be serious about road safety. The biggest impediment to reducing the number of deaths on our roads is the failure to adequately resource road policing units. We need to see consequences for bad behaviour. Unless we adequately resource our roads policing units to detect people who are drink-driving, drug-driving or using their phones while driving, the numbers of collisions, fatalities and life-changing injuries will continue to increase.

I live in Dublin and I drive daily. I cannot remember the last time I was stopped at a checkpoint, which is because of the lack of Garda resources. I recall that when I first started driving, and I was a nervous first-time driver and used to drive around, I would be stopped on a regular basis. That has not happened in my area, on my way in and out of work, or even when driving for leisure, in a long time. I cannot remember the last time I was stopped. I am sure the public would feel the same. We need to properly resource our road policing units.

As part of budget 2024, €150 million was cut from road safety and roads maintenance by the Government. The result of this Government approach has led to road networks in many areas being left in unacceptable condition. Current legislation is not being enforced, yet the Government is setting about introducing even more legislation without developing a real plan.

Parts of my area are in the midst of some large-scale developments. Both the Adamstown and the Clonburris strategic development zones are under construction. One of the issues that has arisen is the delay in the taking charge of roads by South Dublin County Council. When a residential development is completed in accordance with all the conditions and particulars of the planning permission, the developer may make a written request to the planning department of the council to have the estate and the roads and services in the area taken in charge. When the developer does not make this written request or a delay occurs, the road networks in my area run into problems. I will provide a particular example. The sequencing of traffic lights on Adamstown Park, Adamstown Road and Adamstown Boulevard is causing major delays and concerns for the people and residents in Lucan. The Sinn Féin councillor in the area, Derren Ó Brádaigh, has made numerous representations to South Dublin County Council to have this matter resolved but because the roads have not been taken in charge, the council is not taking any responsibility. The developer is way too slow to respond. This is leading to a situation where motorists and pedestrians in Adamstown are hindered by inadequate sequencing of traffic lights. I ask the Government to take a good look at the taking-in charge process, and to make it easier for local authorities to make our roads run smoother and safer-

I also want to ask about what consultations the Government and the Minister of State have had with families who have been left bereaved by fatal road incidents. Leo Lieghio is a member of the Irish Road Victims' Association. His daughter, Marcia, was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Clondalkin more than 18 years ago. She was only 16 years old at the time. Since Marcia's death, Leo has campaigned tirelessly to improve road safety so that other families may not have to go through what he did. In fact, I first raised this issue when I was a councillor back in 2016. I am aware that the Minister for Justice and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Chambers, met with the group last year. I ask that both Departments have more consultation before any of this legislation is enacted.

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