Brian Walsh (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

225. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the status of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-20 and, specifically, the consultation process in relation to action 105; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18050/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The current Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 aims to make Ireland one of the safest countries in terms of road deaths in the EU. The Strategy sets a specific target for 2020 to reduce the number of road deaths to 124 or fewer a year (from 162 in 2012) and serious injuries to 330 per year (from 485 in 2012). This drop is necessary to close the gap between Ireland and other best performing countries.

A Ministerial Group on Road Safety, which I chair, oversees the implementation of the 144 Actions in the Strategy.  Overall I am satisfied that good progress is being made in implementing the actions set out in the Strategy.

Action 105 of the Road Safety Strategy contains a commitment to make it compulsory for all vehicles to carry an emergency breakdown pack. I understand from the Road Safety Authority that they will be publishing a document for the purposes of a public consultation on this Action in the coming weeks.

I will consider how best to progress this when the Road Safety Authority has drawn conclusions from its consultation process.