David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the incentives he is putting in place to encourage cyclists to wear helmets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21363/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The consensus of public authorities concerned with road safety has been that the wearing of helmets by cyclists is best promoted on a voluntary basis by way of educational and publicity campaigns as opposed to going down the regulation route of compelling compulsory use.

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has now responsibility for the promotion and awareness of road safety including the promotion of safety for cyclists.

The new Rules of the Road book that was published last March and a copy distributed to each household countrywide contains expanded advice and recommendations to cyclists in relation to the use of protective equipment and recommends that a helmet be worn at all times.