Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to speak about pressing road safety concerns that affect safety and well-being, especially in my constituency of Dublin Bay North. The urgent need for enhanced road safety measures, particularly around schools and in residential areas, is quite alarming. In neighbourhoods across the northside, such as Marino, Coolock, Raheny, Clontarf, Artane, Darndale and Belmayne - I have missed a few - we are witnessing an alarming increase in traffic-related hazards. The daily routine of school drop-offs and pick-ups is becoming very difficult due to the infrastructure and insignificant traffic calming measures.

Parked cars often create blind spots. This has been raised with me time and again by concerned parents. I am happy to see measures have been taken to put in bollards to stop this. However, there is not enough funding and places are being left out, putting our children at unacceptable risk.

An example of this is in my hometown of Clontarf. Seapark Drive, a residential street, is home to 75 young children. In March 2024 the transport advisory group conducted a speed test here. However, the speed test was conducted at the wrong part of the road - the part where cars actually slow down. The test revealed an 85th percentile speed of 33.2 km. That seems to be at an acceptable limit but it is not. The reality is that the area where children are at risk is not being measured and children will be injured as a result. It does not reflect the reality during the peak hours when the road is being used as a shortcut.

Residents have reported numerous near misses and despite the residents themselves purchasing their own "Go Slow" signs to help with the threat, the council is doing nothing. I have already asked the council to do another speed test. It sent a response but it is not good enough. When, and if a child is injured, who will be to blame?

Similarly, in Killester, children attending the Educate Together schools cross the Howth Road. As I mentioned, during drop-offs cars are continuously not stopping and are reversing out, which is putting people at risk, specifically our children. This is happening time and again in Dublin Bay North and there is a junction at which children are at risk and it is not good enough.

I will draw the Minister of State's attention to Belmayne. Following the completion of a new development beside the Belmayne Road, the construction company has abandoned the area and has not given over charge of it. Speed ramps have been removed and a school there is looking for a zebra crossing but because the construction company has not given over charge of the land to Dublin City Council, DCC, who has responsibility for this issue is being debated.

To address these challenges, I will not just give out but I will propose solutions I hope the Minister of State will listen to. One is increased funding to local councils. DCC has great staff but does not have the funding to target all these areas. We need comprehensive traffic assessments. I mentioned the one in Seapark Drive where traffic calming measures were placed in the wrong area. It does not make sense to conduct the test if it is not conducted where it needs to be done. Enhanced pedestrian infrastructure is needed. We need to install zebra crossings, especially near schools, and ensure footpaths are well maintained. With regard to community engagement, I have seen awareness campaigns by DCC and congratulate it, but we need more. Social media is great for this. We need strict enforcement of traffic laws and to increase the presence of traffic wardens and law enforcement during school hours to deter illegal parking and dangerous driving behaviours.

By implementing these measures we can create a safer environment for residents of Dublin Bay North, and across Ireland. It is our collective responsibility to ensure our streets are safe, especially for children. Let us act proactively rather than waiting for the preventable tragedy of a child losing their life.

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