Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the situation whereby provisional drivers are legally permitted to drive alone once they are on their second licence; the information available on the correlation between provisional licence status and fatal road accidents; if any other EU states allow provisional drivers to drive unaccompanied; and if he will make a statement on the policy he intends to pursue in this regard. [9058/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's Strategy for Road Safety 2004 to 2006 identified speed, seat-belt wearing, driving while intoxicated, engineering measures and vulnerable road users as being the key priority areas to be addressed over the years of the strategy in terms of yielding road safety benefits. As regards legal changes to enhance road safety, the strategy states that driver licensing regulations will be amended to discourage long-term reliance on provisional licences. In this context I will consider what amendments to licensing regulations should be made.

There are no statistics available regarding the correlation between provisional licence status and fatal road accidents. Information in relation to the position in other EU member states is not readily available.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the safety implications of the increased amount of heavy goods vehicles on roads here; and if the Government will reconsider its strategy of allowing the long-term gradual closure of rail freight infrastructure which has encouraged further freight traffic on to roads here. [9209/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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An NRA study relating to the number of vehicle kilometres of travel in Ireland in 2001 indicates that the average number of kilometres travelled by goods vehicles is significantly higher than other vehicle types. There is no evidence, however, that heavy goods vehicles are significantly involved in road collisions. It is unfortunately the case that the consequences resulting from a collision with a heavy goods vehicle are generally more severe than with a smaller type of vehicle. Along with the road safety strategy, the national roads development plan will lead to a safer road network for all vehicles including heavy goods vehicles.

The position in relation to rail freight is that the strategic rail review contained a comprehensive examination of the rail freight business and its realistic potential to support economic development and contribute to a sustainable environment. Iarnród Éireann, in responding to the challenges contained in the review, has developed a business plan based on a strategy with regard to freight, which is to break even by 2006; increase the profitability of the existing profitable business; withdraw from those businesses that are heavily loss-making; and target trainload traffic. The company has made good progress in growing the rail freight business in areas where it holds a competitive advantage over road haulage. Iarnród Éireann continues to pursue a policy of growing its rail freight business where opportunities present. However, as in all businesses, it must adjust the freight business from time to time to reflect market realities.

Since 1999, Iarnród Éireann has invested more than €1.5 billion in rebuilding the railways, with Government and EU support for the investment programme delivering improvements in new trains, upgraded infrastructure and customer facilities. While such investment has primarily focused on improving passenger services, the investment in improving rail infrastructure also has a direct beneficial impact on freight activities.