Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the recent European Transport Safety Council survey that placed Ireland seventh from bottom among EU countries for the reduction of road deaths since 2000; the way in which he proposes to attain the EU target of cutting road deaths by 50 per cent by 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30849/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The primary target of the Governments Irish Road Safety Strategy 2004 – 2006 is to reduce road deaths to no more than 300 per annum by the end of 2006. The most recent European Transport Safety Council report ranks Ireland 7th from the bottom of EU countries in terms of improving road safety over the last four years. The Report states that "in Ireland traffic deaths are on the rise following the positive development in 2002/2003". The latter relates to the period when penalty points were first introduced and rigorously enforced.

The report does not reflect the key changes in the road safety areas that I have introduced in 2005 and 2006. As Minister I have put in place a combination of measures and road safety campaigns which are in line with those countries which have achieved the best results in terms of road safety. The Government is working to reduce the level of road deaths through a number of key initiatives that have been implemented during the last two years. We have invested millions in new, improved and safer roads. A major extension of the application of the penalty points system to a total of 36 offences, has been implemented with a continued focus on driver behaviour and key safety issues. Fixed charges now apply to almost 60 offences. The Road Traffic Act 2006 includes a number of the key measures. These include the provision enabling Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) checkpoints to be set up, a ban on the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving, and the legislative provision supporting the operation of privately operated speed cameras. This legislation addresses issues outstanding in the current Road Safety Strategy that required primary legislation particularly in the key problem areas of drink driving and speeding. Fixed charges and penalty points apply to the offence of driving while using a mobile phone since 1st September 2006. The Road Safety Authority is now in place. This provides a focus for a wide range of road safety related matters that were previously spread across the Department of Transport, the National Safety Council and the National Roads Authority.

A dedicated Garda Traffic Corps, established at the end of 2004, and headed by an Assistant Commissioner, has been significantly augmented in 2005 and 2006. At the start of 2006, the total dedicated strength of the Garda Traffic Corps stood at 520 all ranks. By 2008, a total of 1,200 gardaí will be part of the Traffic Corps.

In a signal that road safety is now at the very top of the political agenda, the Government has replaced the official's High Level Group with a Ministerial Committee on Road Safety under the chairmanship of the Minister for Transport and including the Ministers for Justice, Finance, Health, Education and the Attorney General. This Committee has met on a number of occasions to pursue an integrated approach on all cross cutting issues.

While I am conscious that the EU target of cutting road deaths by 50% over a ten year period will be difficult to achieve, we will continue to work towards this target. Since 1998, Ireland has seen an overall reduction 13% reduction in road fatalities despite a 41% increase in the number of vehicles and a 21% increase in drivers. The number of road deaths in August 2006 at 17 is the lowest number for any month since November 1999. The August 2006 figure can be compared in the same month in 2005 and 35 in 2004. 22 people lost their lives this September compared to 31 in September 2005. The level of collisions has also fallen. The downward trend follows the introduction of roadside Mandatory Alcohol Testing in July.

While it is important not to base trends on two months' statistics, the reduction is a very positive development and it is hoped the increase in the levels of enforcement will continue to have a significant deterrent effect on those who would otherwise drink and drive and the downward trend in the level of deaths will continue.