James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the time-scale in relation to the setting up of an urgently required road safety strategy in view of the fact that it has been over six months since the previous one expired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16996/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for developing a new Road Safety Strategy for the period 2007-2011. They went out to public consultation in October last year and I understand they have received a substantial number of suggestions and proposals as a result of this process. The RSA also engaged in a process of direct consultation with key stakeholders in December 2006. The volume of submissions received from these processes were examined by the Authority who are now working towards the finalisation of the new Strategy. When I receive the new Road Safety Strategy I will submit it to Government for approval as soon as possible thereafter.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine his plans to reduce fatalities on roads in view of the publication of the first Road Safety Performance Index by the European Transport Safety Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16997/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The European Transport Safety Council published the Report referred to by the Deputy, on 7 June 2007. It includes rankings on the three most important aspects of road user behaviour in Europe — speed, alcohol and seat belt wearing and relates to the period 2001 to 2005. Ireland ranks thirteenth out of the EU twenty five based on road deaths per million of population in 2005.

Achieving progress in the areas of speeding, drink driving and seat belt wearing has been central to the implementation of Ireland's national Road Safety Strategy. Significant initiatives have been achieved since 2005 including the introduction of a new system of metric speed limits, the further extension of the operation of the penalty points and fixed charge systems from April 2006, the establishment of the Garda Traffic Corps, hard hitting safety awareness campaigns, new legislation, tougher fines and penalties, and the introduction of roadside Mandatory Alcohol Testing.

Other major proposals, such as the plans to establish a system of private sector operation of speed cameras under the auspices of the Gardaí, are well advanced.

The Report does not reflect the significant developments and reduction in fatalities on our roads since 2006 when the number of deaths, at 368, was the second lowest rate in forty years. This downward trend has continued into 2007 with 35 less fatalities on 22 June 2007 than on the same day in 2006. These significant improvements will be reflected in the EU rankings when the next review is published.