Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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631. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the increased number of road deaths compared to last year, the measures being taken to improve road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40586/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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668. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures currently being undertaken by his Department to improve road safety with particular reference to the increased number of deaths on Irish roads in comparison to last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41142/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 631 and 668 together.

At end September the number of fatalities on Irish roads was higher than for the equivalent period in 2012 and the indications are that the figures for 2013 as a whole will show an increase on last year. I am concerned at this increase, particularly following a period of seven years of continuous reduction. The Road Safety Authority and the Garda Síochána meet regularly to discuss the cause of collisions and the steps necessary to prevent such collisions occurring.

All stakeholders involved must continue with the effort and commitment that resulted in year on year reductions over the past seven years. Earlier this year, I launched the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 which identifies a total of 144 Actions to be implemented by key stakeholders within the timeframes set. Implementation of these Actions will lead to a further significant reductions in fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.

I will take a personal interest in ensuring that the Actions are implemented.

In addition to the new Strategy, I will also introduce a Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill in the Dáil this week. The Bill provides for adjustment of penalty points for certain offences, introduces a new concept of novice driver, assists the Gardaí in determining the presence of intoxicants in drivers through an impairment testing system and provides for the testing for intoxicants of drivers left incapacitated by a road collision. The provisions of the Bill will assist in making our roads safer.