Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. There is no doubt we are facing a serious surge in deaths and injuries on our roads. My thoughts go out to the families, friends and communities of those who have died or been injured on our roads. I appeal to everyone to be conscious that road safety measures are there to protect lives - their own and the lives of others. However, the Government is also responsible for safety on our roads. It is responsible for the implementation of laws but, unfortunately, it is failing in this area. This is not directed towards the Garda, which is shockingly under-resourced, with the road policing section falling significantly since 2011.

I will give a couple of examples from my constituency. The Minister of State is aware that for some time the roads around Hollywood-rath, Hollystown and Tyrrelstown are being used as a racetrack night after night. That then moved to Blanchardstown town centre and for a number of months the M3 garage near Damastown. Residents of Littlepace, and businesses near the M3 garage and around Damastown raised this with the Garda and the council. There was some movement on it in the council chamber yesterday evening. However, there is a lack of enforcement due to a serious lack of gardaí. They are doing their best but are unable to properly police our community. Last week, I was sent a video of two cars hurtling down Damastown Road racing each other. Another car came from the side of the road, lost control and smashed into public lighting. That there was not a fatality is only down to luck. It was predicted, however, that it was only a matter of time before a serious accident happened.

One of the biggest frustrations is the difference in road speed limits. For example, the speed limit on the three-lane M3 from the former Travelodge to Ashtown roundabout is 60 km/h. Yet, along the Porterstown Road, a small, old-style country road that passes from St. Mochta's to around Porterstown Park, Castleknock Hotel and Castleknock GAA club, the speed limit is also 60 km/h. It makes no sense. I urge Fingal County Council to move swiftly to reduce the speed limit on the Porterstown Road to allow road safety measures to be put in place. Speed limits need to make common sense to people if they are to get buy-in. This was also mentioned by the previous speaker.

I also request a review of the company employed to run the speed camera vans. Some of their locations in my constituency defy logic, including Blakestown Road adjacent to Huntstown, the N3 at Little Chef, and Mulhuddart Cemetery. I would like to know what the criteria are for the positioning of these vans. I suggest that we recommend one is put on Damastown Road where these car meets take place if we cannot have enough gardaí to police these types of activities.

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