Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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74. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality what criteria An Garda Síochána uses in classifying a fatality as a road fatality, including but not restricted to the maximum period after a road accident within which a death must take place in order for it to be classified as a road fatality; if another vehicle must be involved in an accident leading to death in order for a death to be classified as a road fatality; if it is a requirement for An Garda Síochána to have attended the scene of an accident in order for it to be classified as a road fatality; the agents and agencies which supply data on road fatalities for collation; and if there is a statutory obligation on An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority or any other body to record a fatality as a road fatality if informed that a death has occurred on a public road. [8710/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that, in line with counting rules adopted by the Road Safety Authority, a collision is recorded as a fatal collision where at least one person is killed as a result of the collision and death occurs within 30 days of the incident. I am further advised that another vehicle does not have to be involved in the collision and that An Garda Síochána record single vehicle traffic collisions. All fatal collisions, and collisions where available information indicates that there is a likelihood of a fatality, are investigated by An Garda Síochána. Where a road traffic collision is initially believed to be of a minor nature, Gardaí may not have attended the scene at the time of the incident's occurrence. Where a fatality subsequently results, Gardaí will attend the scene during the course of their investigation. All road traffic collisions reported to An Garda Síochána are recorded on PULSE and An Garda Síochána provides electronic data to the RSA in respect of all such collisions, in keeping with a requirement to provide the RSA with relevant information and statistics under the Road Safety Act 2006. I further understand that the recording of traffic fatalities by the RSA is not the subject of specific statutory obligations.