Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself that the Government road safety strategy and the Road Safety Authority are adequately resourced to meet set targets and Government objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14022/09]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Road safety is a priority for Government, and the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012, which was launched in October 2007, is a key safety initiative. The overall objective of the strategy is to bring Ireland in line with best practice countries in road safety terms and to reduce the number of fatalities to no more than 60 fatalities per million or 252 fatalities per annum, the figure stated in the strategy. The strategy contains 126 actions with target completion dates. It is being successfully implemented with the involvement of a number of Departments, the Garda Síochána, and other agencies, and there has been a sustained reduction in the number of people killed on our roads.

Last year yielded the lowest number of fatalities on record and records began in the late 1950s. The downward trend continues this year, with a further reduction of 19 this year. The funding of other Departments and their agencies involved in road safety is a matter for those Departments. In the light of the current difficult economic situation the final allocation to the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority for this year will be published in the Revised Estimates Volume following the Supplementary Budget Statement next Tuesday. In that context, the 2008 allocation included a special provision to reduce the driver testing backlog. This objective was achieved and the RSA is maintaining the driver test waiting time at ten weeks.

The RSA will continue its activities in 2009, making best use of both Exchequer funding and the fee income generated by the agency. The road safety strategy remains the way forward agreed by the Government, for the RSA and for all other agencies involved, with the objective of continuing to save lives and reduce injuries on our roads.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As Fine Gael spokesperson on road safety issues, I have always supported the Government in respect of measures on road safety. I have no doubt that following the last time Oral Questions on transport issues were taken in the House, there will be no cut in any support for road safety in next week's budget, except for the €20 million allocation to reduce the waiting list for driver licences. However, the figures provided by the Minister of State could have been thrown out the window following events last week in Slane, County Meath. In recent years, there have been surveys costing €700,000, €500,000 and €200,000 carried out, yet we are still no further down the line.

I put a question to the Minister for Transport who is from my country and who has seen certain events take place in Enfield. I realise the bridge cannot be built in Slane within the coming four or five years. However, will he instruct the National Roads Authority to divert all heavy vehicles from Slane? Meath County Council made such a provision in Enfield several years ago in the interests of road safety. This evening, I must meet the families of those who were involved in that accident, which could have thrown the whole road safety strategy and road safety results out the window. I have not played politics on this matter before. This is a general question, but it is a serious issue.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is a very serious issue.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I will not play politics, but it seems some people are beginning to play politics regarding promises related to Slane bridge. Until Slane bridge is built, will the Minister, who has the authority to do so, instruct the NRA to remove heavy vehicles from Slane?

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The first question was if I could guarantee if there would not be any cut for the allocation of the Road Safety Authority next Tuesday. I cannot because it would be altogether wrong of me to try to guess what the Minister for Finance intends to do next week. We have all heard about different taxation and revenue raising matters and cutbacks in various Departments. I cannot guess the answer. We must wait and see how it works out. I am not an authority on Slane, but I replied to an Adjournment debate matter on the issue. I indicated that approximately €500,000 would be spent this year by the NRA in the planning of the project. I do not often travel through Slane.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State would be a good deal safer if he did not.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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When the Minister of State is fleeing the country, he may go that route.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I realise the problem. Construction will not start this year, but I understand €500,000 will be spent on the planning and design of it. One accident cannot send all our hopes and dreams out the window. The figures for January and February were very good this year. The figures for March were dreadful until St. Patrick's Day, but thankfully, since then, there was a period of eight or nine days during which no one was killed on the roads. It is the case that one believes everything is going well one month, but one accident can blow it out of the water.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Some 22 people have been killed on that bridge between McGruder's Cross and Slane. We could have had 22 killed all at once. Since the Minister has the authority, will he provide the money to the NRA to build a bridge? I am realistic and I am aware that cannot take place, but I call on the Minister to give the authority to the NRA to stop heavy goods vehicles, except for those with a licence to do business in the area, from entering Slane. That is the only measure the people of Slane will accept.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I suspect from my days in the local authority such a decision is more relevant to the local authority in question. In Dublin there are three tonne limits, areas where trucks are forbidden and a HGV cordon around Dublin Port which was introduced by Dublin City Council. I am subject to correction, but banning trucks from a given area is a matter for the local authority rather than the Department.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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No, the NRA is the only relevant authority which may do so.