Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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624. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out the number of fatalities on roads here this year; the comparison with the same period last year; the actions he will take to reduce fatalities on roads here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36829/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As at 26 September 2014, the total number of fatalities on our roads in 2014 was 138.  That is a decrease of 2 on the same period last year.  From 415 deaths on our roads in 2001, we have seen a dramatic reduction to 190 deaths in 2013. However I am concerned that in the year 2013 there was an increase in road deaths from 2012.

My officials and I meet regularly with all of the bodies and agencies that have responsibility for road safety, including the Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to ensure that all necessary measures are identified and taken to improve safety on our roads.

The Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020 was launched last year. This contains 144 Actions to be implemented by the various agencies involved in order to build on the previous Strategies with the objective of making Ireland among the safest countries for road safety.

Aside from the Strategy, the Road Traffic Act 2014, was signed into law by the President on 25th February.  This legislation introduces measures which will further contribute to road safety in the years to come. The Act provides for further Graduated Driver Licensing measures, adjustments to the penalty points system, increasing demerits for the most dangerous offences such as speeding and operating a mobile phone while driving.

My officials are also in the early stages of drafting the Road Traffic Bill 2014 which will contain further measures to improving safety on our roads.

I am satisfied that the actions set out in the Road Safety Strategy will be sufficient to allow Ireland to continue to make progress towards the objectives of reducing road deaths set out in the Strategy.