Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank all the Senators from all sides of the House for what can only be described as a well-informed debate on road safety. Their interest and concern, which is not surprising, is very evident from the contributions of all Members.

The Government has made great strides in the area of road safety. I am possibly more aware of this than most, having worked in that Department with the former Minister for Transport, Deputy Martin Cullen, for about 16 months during which time I took a particular interest in this area. There is a committed strategic integrated approach by all the relevant agencies to reduce the level of deaths and injuries.

I wish to emphasise the subject of injuries. We always talk about fatalities and the statistics at which we look concern fatalities. However, injuries on our roads can be horrific. I know many people who have been paralysed for life, a situation which is extremely difficult for them and their families. Many of those people have very special needs and will need full-time care and attention for the rest of their lives.

Significant initiatives identified in the last road strategy for 2004 to 2006 have been realised. We want to continue to see the results of the mandatory alcohol testing checkpoints. Since the commencement of these checkpoints in July 2006, over 30,000 drivers per month have been tested. Aligned with a significant increase in high visibility enforcement, some 90 fewer people died on our roads in the period to the end of July 2007, compared to the same period to the end of July 2006. It can be said that this reduction is a direct result of the introduction of roadside tests.

The request for tender to deploy and privatise the operation of speed cameras was recently issued, with six companies being short-listed as part of that overall process. The applications are being examined, with a view to selecting the contractor very shortly.

I will also refer to what the Government has achieved to date. A dedicated road safety strategy has been produced. The Government has invested in new, improved and safer roads. Of course, there is much more to do. However, over the past ten years, through the Road Safety Authority and various local authorities, the Government has invested heavily in our roads, making them safer, which is to be applauded. Much more remains to be done and the Government, including the Department of Transport which is responsible for the National Roads Authority and non-national roads, will continue to ensure that this level of investment continues.

The penalty points system has been in place for some time but was extended in April 2006, featuring 35 separate offences, as well the addition of mobile phone offences from September 2006. Fixed charges apply to almost 60 offences. Over 570,000 drivers have received penalty points to the end of 2007, with 93 drivers on 12 penalty points, resulting in six months disqualification.

We also established a dedicated traffic corps whose current strength stands at over 800. There will be an additional 400 members attached, bringing the total to 1,200 by the end of next year. This commitment will be realised.

Greater levels of visibility and enforcement contribute greatly to road safety. The Road Safety Authority was set up in 2006. We have a ministerial road safety committee on which I served with colleagues from the Departments of Education and Science, Health and Children and Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Taoiseach attended the committee at various times, which is an indication of his commitment and that of the Government and all Members of the Oireachtas. The new rules of the road were launched last March. Following its development by the RSA, the new road safety strategy 2007-12 was launched last month. It is quite detailed and its primary target is to reduce deaths to no more than 60 fatalities per million people by 2012. It may seem ambitious but it is realistic. This equates to 21 road deaths per month or 252 per year. This year the average is much too high, 28 per month. The recent introduction of the new regulations regarding driving licences and learner drivers is a building block in the introduction of the graduated licence system in Ireland. There was criticism of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, for not having a lead-in time but he was pragmatic in deciding that the period should be extended to June, a welcome decision. The changes involve the replacement of the provisional licence, details of which Senators are aware.

There is a downward trend as a result of various Government and departmental initiatives. There have been 285 deaths to date this year, a reduction of 34 on the same period last year, but these statistics are cold comfort to the families of the 285 people who died on our roads. We must continue to achieve a lower rate, as outlined in the road strategy. If the current trend continues to the end of the year we will achieve one of the lowest death rates on Irish roads in 40 years. The strategy contains a range of initiatives in education, enforcement, engineering and legislation. It expressly provides for the evaluation of road safety policies. The implementation of the measures in the strategy should achieve further reductions in road deaths, a goal shared by all Members.

When this legislation was being debated in this House reference was made to penalty points and the revenue generated. This was not the intention. The Gweedore stock car rally track has been successful. Other areas should try to emulate it. It came about as a result of the death of Mr. Hugh Sweeney from Gweedore station. He made such an impact on people that his friends decided he should not die in vain. I believe he did not die in vain in light of the developments that have taken place. His parents and brothers can take comfort from the fact that his death may have saved the lives many others in west Donegal.

The track in Gweedore is well organised and the young people who use it are committed to saving further lives. It has the full support of the Garda Síochána, to which Senator Doherty referred. We met representatives of the Garda Síochána last week in the Gweedore forum. We should promote it in all parts of the country where young people between 18 and 26 will use it. Statistics suggests that many accidents involve young male drivers between the ages of 18 and 26 and occur between 12 midnight and 4 a.m.

We can refer to legislation, strategies, the RSA, the Department, Members of the Houses and the good advice we are given but we must remember each one of us is responsible for his or her safety. If every individual were to decide to be more careful, not to pass out on turns, single and continuous white lines, and to be responsible for safety we could drastically reduce the number of road deaths. Young people are prepared to take risks, which I see in my area. They pass out at 100 mph and further down the road one sees them stopped behind traffic or at traffic lights. We must instil in them an awareness of the dangers of driving at speed. Alcohol also contributes, as does a refusal to wear seatbelts.

The world rally championship will take place over the next few days. I was at the first meeting about the rally, when we met the then Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Deputy McDaid, and the event will be economically important for the north west. It will be a showpiece for Ireland and will be transmitted to millions of people. We must send out a word of caution to the many young people who will try to emulate professionals. They should slow down, take care and keep the race in its place. I pay tribute to the organisers of the world rally championship. They have made a major contribution. I hope the weekend will be accident and fatality free.

Mar fhocal scoir, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl do na Seandadóirí go léir a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht fíor-thábhactach seo. Molaim iad go mór as sin agus tá súil agam nach mbeidh timpiste ar bith thar deireadh na seachtaine agus go mbeidh muid ábalta an méid daoine atá ag fáil bháis ar na bóithre a laghdú idir seo agus deireadh na bliana agus na blianta amach romhainn.