Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of road safety measures taken that have impacted most positively on road traffic accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15650/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has made huge progress in road safety in the last decade and has one of the best road safety records in the EU. Countless lives have been saved through improved legislation, widespread changes in driver behaviour, better engineering and enhanced enforcement.

The establishment of the Road Safety Authority, the introduction of the fixed charge and penalty points system, random breath-testing for alcohol and lower permissible limits, the enactment of targeted legislation, the establishment of a dedicated Garda Traffic Corps and the introduction of safety cameras are but some of the measures and initiatives introduced in this country in recent years that have contributed to the reduction in fatalities and have led to positive changes in driver behaviour. From 415 deaths on our roads in 2001, we have seen a dramatic reduction to 190 deaths in 2013.

However, we must continue to implement measures and take further initiatives that will lead to even safer roads. In March 2013, I launched the Road Safety Strategy that lists 144 Actions to be implemented by various State agencies in order to make Irish roads the safest in Europe. I will continue to ensure that these actions are implemented.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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272. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it is expected to ensure cyclists and pedestrians take appropriate measures to ensure their safety during road use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15651/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Ensuring the safety of vulnerable road users is an essential priority of my Department and the Road Safety Authority.  As in all areas of road safety, this involves a range of measures, but, ultimately, it is also important that cyclists and pedestrians, like all road-users, take responsibility for their own safety. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the provision of public and sustainable transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and the regional cities. The NTA provides funding to local authorities for a range of schemes to benefit cyclists, including the provision of infrastructure, and other measures to improve safety for commuters under the Sustainable Transport Management Grants Programme. We will continue to encourage cycling as a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of travel.

At the same time, we recognise that cyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable road users.  The current Road Safety Strategy, which runs from 2013 to 2020, contains a number of measures to ensure greater safety in cycling and pedestrian activities.  These include: education to promote use of personal protection equipment and high visibility clothing; developing a standardised road safety cycling proficiency training programme for schools; and evaluating the cost-benefit of reducing VAT on personal protection equipment. My Department and I will work with the RSA and the other appropriate bodies to ensure that these recommendations are implemented.