Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the most up-to-date figures for fatalities on our roads in 2013; if he is satisfied that the necessary resources are currently available to the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54705/13]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister will be aware that there appears to be a trend towards an increase in the number of deaths on the roads. While I am always slow to accept early signals on overall statistics in this area, it is clear that there will be a significant rise in the number of deaths on the roads over the course of the year, which is of deep concern to all of us. We have had a good process in this House of a joint approach by the Opposition and the Government, which also applied when the Minister's party was in opposition. We want to work with the Minister to try to ensure we can reverse the trend.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As of yesterday, the total number of fatalities on the roads in 2013 is 178, an increase of 21 on the same period last year.  There have been 450 serious injuries as a result of collisions in the year to date. This compares to 487 for the full year of 2012.

The increase in this year's figures is of great concern.  It is the first reversal of the downward trend of recent years. As the Deputy will know, the number of fatalities for 2012, at 162, was the lowest annual figure recorded since records began. There is no clear reason for the increase or evidence that it represents a trend. I met recently all of the bodies and agencies with responsibility for road safety, including the Garda and the Road Safety Authority, RSA, to ensure all necessary measures were identified and taken to reverse this year's situation and improve safety on the roads.

Earlier this year I launched the road safety strategy 2013-20. It contains 144 actions to be implemented by the various agencies involved to build on the previous strategies with the objective of improving safety, sustainably on the roads and making Ireland among the safest countries for road safety.  I am also in the process of bringing through the Oireachtas the Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2013 which contains measures that will contribute to the road safety improvements. The new strategy was developed by the RSA, the principal role of which is the promotion of road safety. I am satisfied that the RSA receives all of the necessary resources and assistance it requires from my Department in carrying out its functions.

At this time of year I appeal particularly to all road users to be extra careful and vigilant for the remainder of the year and into 2014. All of us who use the road have a responsibility of care to ourselves and those with whom we share the road.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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To be clear, I do not believe there is any issue with the strategy or the body of legislation in place. I can only look to the words of the Minister's expert, the chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Gay Byrne, who recently stated reducing the number of deaths on Irish roads was "unravelling before our eyes." In an interview with the Irish Independent on 12 December he blamed the increase in the number of deaths on the roads on the decline in funding to the Garda Síochána and creeping complacency among road users. He labelled 2013 as a "bad year" in recognition of the figures the Minister outlined. I put it to the Minister that the chairman of the Road Safety Authority is saying there is a serious issue in this regard which he is attributing to the lack of enforcement by the Garda. Gardaí will say they are doing the best they can with the resources available to them. Is it time for the Minister to enter more intensive discussions with the Minister for Justice and Equality to ensure the necessary resources will be provided for the Garda to allow us to reverse the trend?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am very concerned about the increase in the number of road deaths this year, which is up by over 20 on this time last year. We do not know what the final figures for the year will be. It is still a possibility that it will have been the second safest year since records began, but we do not know this for sure. Interestingly, the number of road deaths is up, but the number of serious injuries is down. It is up in all regions, but it is significantly down in the west, for example. The figure for motorcyclists is up, but it is down for other road users. It is difficult to see any clear trend in the numbers.

The question relates to the resources of the Road Safety Authority. It has extensive resources. It also has significant capital reserves that it can dip into if it needs to do so. I do not necessarily believe there is a direct correlation between the level of Garda resources and road safety. For example, Garda traffic corps resources peaked in 2010 when over 200 people died on the roads. I do not believe, therefore, that there is a direct correlation, but I am keen to see greater enforcement. I always makes this point in any interaction I have with the Commissioner or the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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There is clearly a difference of opinion between the Minister and the chairman of the Road Safety Authority. Has the Minister had one-to-one discussions with Mr. Byrne recently? Did he have an opportunity to discuss his deep concerns with him? I recognise that the Minister is concerned, rightly so - we are all concerned - but in trying to find a solution or some path towards reducing the number of deaths on the roads has he had direct discussions with Mr. Byrne? Has he shared with him his belief there is no direct correlation between the level of Garda resources and the number of deaths on the roads and, if so, what was his response?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I met the chairman of the RSA and the outgoing chief executive officer six to eight weeks ago and we will meet again in the new year. We did discuss the issue of Garda resources and enforcement. We are both of the view that greater enforcement would be desirable, but we both accept that gardaí are under pressure in terms of resources. We did not discuss anything in terms of a direct correlation, but I am putting the fact on the table that in 2010 there were many more traffic corps gardaí and that the number of deaths on the roads was much higher.