Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for the items they raised. Some did not relate to the Bill but I am happy to come back on some of those.

Deputy Daly raised the issue of roadside testing. This would apply to any planned or random checkpoint in the context of testing, as per his question.

In the context of the RSA allocation, we found additional reserves in the RSA budget towards the end of last year which enabled us to fulfil its request for additional spending. This additional spending on advertising, communications and around public engagement was progressed towards the end of last year and early part of this year.

Other issues were raised in the context of regional local roads. There was an investment of €658 million in regional local roads and a portion of that is for safety improvement works. This funding will support 261 safety schemes to enhance road safety and we are also anxious to ensure the protection and renewal of our wider roads network, which was raised as well.

With regard to the licensing issue, which was flagged to me by a number of TDs today, the Department is engaging with the Road Safety Authority about the concerns that were raised. As Members are aware, much of licensing law is set at EU level but we are clarifying that and when I receive clarification from the Road Safety Authority, I will be in a position to come back to the Deputies and to others. A range of people across the House raised that issue with us today and we are seeking clarity from the Road Safety Authority on it.

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