Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Transport if arrangements will be put in place in order that the scene of serious road traffic accidents will be independently evaluated to ascertain any breach of construction standards and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26361/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The primary immediate investigative role in relation to road accidents is vested in the Garda Síochána. Priority in such an investigation must be given to the determination of the causes of road accidents including, where appropriate, road construction or surface standards, and in particular whether a breach of the road traffic laws contributed to the occurrence.

Garda reports are forwarded to the National Roads Authority and subsequently to each local authority for the purpose of the establishment of accident trends and causes generally and to facilitate the carrying out of remedial works relating to road infrastructure where such action is deemed to be necessary. I have no plans at present to propose alternative arrangements for investigating road accidents.