Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In keeping with the spirit of the day, it is important that we acknowledge all of the staff of the House, from Mr. Martin Groves and Ms Bridget Doody in the Seanad Office to the Cathaoirleach and his team, and everyone else who works in Leinster House - those in the print room, the ushers, the catering staff and everyone else who helps us out. In particular, I wish a happy Christmas to all of the Members. This time last year, I was not a Member and it was courtesy of the people in this Chamber and the Lower House that I am back. I thank them all. It was 16 December 2020 that I was last in the city centre before the day of the count on 21 April. People forget just how far we have come even though we are still not where we would like to be. We had a lockdown in early January, we had 2 km and 5 km limits and most people could not visit their grandchildren or grandparents. We are in a different place now and the vaccines have made a considerable difference. Last night, the House did itself some credit in dealing with the TRIPS waiver issue the way it did. I hope that people who have been willing to get vaccinated will get their boosters. I have been looking online constantly since becoming entitled to get one last week. There are long queues but I hope to get mine in the next day or two.

No one has mentioned my next issue on the Order of Business in recent days. The Road Safety Authority, RSA, launched its ten-year strategy on Tuesday. I pay tribute to the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, and the RSA's chairperson, Ms Liz O'Donnell, and the chief executive, Mr. Sam Waide, for what they are trying to do. In 1998, we had more than 400 road deaths. We have 1 million more cars on the road now than we had then and, while any death is one too many, the number of road deaths last year was 146. The RSA is trying to cut that figure by half by 2030 and what is termed "Vision Zero" by 2050. There may be less travelling this Christmas than there would otherwise be but I ask people to watch their speed, not to take narcotics or alcohol when driving, to be careful and to mind one another. I hope everyone in the Chamber stays safe and I wish everyone a happy new year.