Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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311. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he will take to improve road safety given the increase in road deaths in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29242/26]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The current national framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The Strategy has the target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% this decade, and to achieving Vision Zero—as close as possible to no deaths or serious injuries on Irish roads—by 2050.

The Phase 2 Action Plan 2025–2027 was published in July 2025 comprising 12 primary transformative actions and 77 supporting actions. The Action Plan is being delivered through partnership and collaborative working by road safety stakeholders including An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Transport Authority, the Courts Service, Medical Bureau of Road Safety, Health and Safety Authority and the Local Authorities.

The detailed Action Plan can be reviewed here: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/20250716_RSS_Phase_2_Action_Plan.pdf

Progress is being made across all of the actions. Key deliverables for this year include passing the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 to allow Local Authorities to resume accepting and processing collision data, and we are addressing the long-standing issue relating to repeat renewal of learner permits with the regulations coming into effect in November. In addition I expect to publish the first National Safety Camera Strategy shortly which will provide the framework for the rollout of road safety cameras.

In addition, this year, the RSA has again ringfenced funding of €18 million for road safety awareness, education and promotional campaigns focused on making our roads safer for all road users, including and especially vulnerable road users.

My focus as Minister, the focus of my Department and of all the road safety stakeholders who we work with, is on the delivery of the Phase 2 Action Plan. This Action Plan was developed by experts, based on Irish experience while considering best practice in other countries and our focus must be on the delivery of these agreed actions.