Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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71. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address a matter (details supplied) with regard to fatal vehicle accidents in which it is reported that alcohol was involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8847/17]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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72. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address a matter (details supplied) with regard to fatal vehicle accidents in which it is reported that alcohol was involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8849/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.

The statistics referred to by the Deputy in the 'Details Supplied' with these parliamentary questions were published in June 2016 by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in its 'Fatal Collisions 2008 - 2012: Alcohol as a Factor'. I have been advised by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport that, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the RSA has responsibility for analysing the cause of road traffic fatalities. I have requested a report from the RSA in this regard and will contact the Deputy directly immediately on receipt of the RSA's response.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that its 6 week 2016/2017 Christmas campaign resulted in a 35% increase in arrests over the same period in 2015 for ‘driving under the influence’. This clearly illustrates that drink-driving remains a significant road safety issue in Ireland that needs to be addressed urgently. Following a special meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Road Safety in January, Minister Ross announced that his Department would review section 29 of the Road Traffic 2010 with the intention of ensuring that all drivers, if caught drink driving, will, in future, receive a mandatory disqualification.

I support Minister Ross's intention to amend section 29 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, which should assist us in ensuring more effective enforcement of road traffic offences and making our roads safer. My Department will continue to assist the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in bringing these changes forward.