Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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490. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline data sharing restrictions in respect of statutory authorities under his Department and, in particular, his views on the National Transport Authority’s ability to share anonymised information about speeding and other traffic offences. [42532/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department shares data with both the Road Safety Authority and the National Transport Authority and this sharing is underpinned by various pieces of legislation. This mostly relates to data from the National Vehicle and Driver File and is used by the agencies to carry out their statutory functions.

While the National Transport Authority does not gather or share information about speeding and other traffic offences, under Section 8 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the RSA has a statutory function in respect of the compilation and publication of road safety information, which is typically sourced from An Garda Síochána. As a result of legal concerns arising from the General Data Protection Regulation, the direct flow of road safety data to local authorities has been interrupted in recent years, though the Department has continued to make analysis available to local authorities to help inform their investment programmes. Following extensive engagement between relevant stakeholders and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, an approach has now been agreed to restore this important data flow. This was underpinned by a Ministerial Order made under Section 8 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 last June, which ensures the continued compliance of the flow of information between An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority, while the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 seeks to ensure that local authorities will be able to receive and process the data directly. Passage of this Bill is a Programme for Government commitment and the General Scheme received approval for drafting in April of this year. It is currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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491. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on progress to ensure that the Road Safety Authority is not prohibited from releasing information on road traffic accidents by GDPR; if he has sought the rationale for ceasing to release such information due to the regulation; and, if so, if he is satisfied that the rationale is reasonable. [42533/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Collision data are collected by An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána continues to share these data with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), but following the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation in 2018, it has been necessary to update the legislative basis for this data exchange to ensure appropriate safeguards on individuals' personal information. Moreover, legal advice obtained by the Local Government Management Agency is definitive that changes to legislation are required in order for local authorities to receive and process collision data. The Department has continued to make available analysis of collision data and information on locations of interest from a road safety perspective to local authorities to help inform their investment programmes.

Following extensive engagement between relevant stakeholders and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner since late 2023, an approach has now been agreed to ensure this important data flow is compliant with the requirements of GDPR. This new approach was followed by a Ministerial Order made under Section 8 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 last June, which underpins the flow of information between An Garda Síochána and the RSA.

The legislative vehicle to enable sharing of road traffic collision data with local authorities, and the processing of that data by local authorities, has also been clearly identified. By amending provisions in the pre-GDPR Roads Act 1993, the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 seeks to ensure that local authorities will be able to receive and process the data directly. Passage of this Bill is a Programme for Government commitment and the General Scheme received approval for drafting in April of this year. It is currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.

Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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492. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the delay in rolling out the additional use of cameras to enforce red lights at traffic signals and other motoring offences. [42657/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Building on expanded camera enforcement hours provided by mobile vans since late 2023 and the rollout of additional average speed camera zones and fixed cameras nationwide since late 2024, the Programme for Government commits to further expansion of cameras to encourage safer driving. This commitment is reaffirmed by Primary Action 6 of the new Phase 2 Action Plan of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy to 2030, which was published on 16 July.

The framework for this future rollout will be guided by the first National Safety Camera Strategy, the development of which has been led by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in partnership with all key road safety agencies and departments.

The Strategy is focused on speeding, red light running and bus lane violations in the first instance but has been designed to accommodate other offences over time. Work on the Strategy is at an advanced stage and it is expected to be completed shortly. It is important to note that finalisation of the Strategy has not prevented the rollout of additional cameras, with three new average speed camera zones and eight fixed camera locations added since late 2024, and a further fixed camera expected to be installed in August.

The National Transport Authority will be leading the development of the approach to camera based enforcement of traffic management offences, with further detail on this to be elaborated later in the year.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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493. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether his Department or any agency operating under its aegis has, in the past five years, used reserved contracts or included social clauses in public procurement tenders; and if so, to detail the types of contracts or clauses used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42739/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has not used reserved contracts or included social clauses in its tenders in the past five years given the nature of the goods/services required. However, my Department is committed to including such clauses in its tenders where they are appropriate.

The use of reserved contracts or the inclusion of social clauses in public procurement tenders by the state bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the state body concerned. I have referred the Deputy's question to the state bodies in question. Please contact my office if you have not received a response within 10 working days.