Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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795. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of serious and fatal road traffic collisions that Gardaí attended between Junctions 7-11 on M50 in both directions to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45072/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Road safety is a shared responsibility, and while the whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport, it is one which is taken very seriously across Government. I continue to engage with colleagues across Government to ensure that every effort is made to increase safety on our roads.

As the Deputy may be aware, road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies.

After a shocking and tragic first quarter of the year, the Garda Commissioner has responded effectively and directed that all uniformed Gardaí are to undertake 30 minute of high visibility roads policing in each tour of duty. This increase in enforcement is, thankfully, correlated with a slowing down of that upward trend in the number of road fatalities.

Of course, all loss of life is a tragedy, and it is important that none of us become complacent.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there have been a total of two fatal or serious injury collisions on the M50 between Junctions 7 and 11 this year. These figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2024 to 31 October 2024, inclusive.