Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on recent comments (details supplied) regarding the cutting of the RSA's road safety campaign budget and the failure to publish the new Road Traffic Amendment Bill; if he has responded to the chairperson on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20039/09]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Transport the changes to the budget for the Road Safety Authority for 2009; the RSA's road safety programmes that will now be abolished or reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20040/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.

The RSA's advertising budget has been reduced from €3.4m to €0.9m for 2009, as a result of cuts in advertising budgets which were imposed this year across all Departments and Agencies. The RSA will continue to implement its programme of road safety awareness, education and research, with a budget of €4m in 2009. These remain important elements of the Authority's statutory functions and key to getting the road safety message to all road users (pedestrians, cyclists, car and commercial vehicle drivers), and to changing road user behaviour. The text of a Road Traffic Bill is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.