William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider making the wearing of high-visibility jackets compulsory, as a road safety measure, for all pedestrians, cyclists and users of school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34016/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of road safety and of measures, including the advancement of education, relating to the promotion of the safe use of roads.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has successfully been running the ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ campaign for over a decade, this has transformed road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. As part of the campaign, the RSA distributes thousands of free high-visibility vests and armbands each year. The Government continues to support and endorse this campaign. As Active Travel becomes wider used, it is hoped that citizens will avail of the free high-visibility vests and armbands.

It is the policy of both the Government and the RSA to recommend the use of these high-visibility vests and armbands, but their use is not a legal requirement. At present, there are no plans to introduce legislation changing this.