My Department's press statement of 21 October 1997, a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library, records in some detail the outcome of the special meeting convened to intensify action for road safety.
In summary, the major initiative taken was to mandate the preparation of a national road safety strategy by the high level group on road safety, which is chaired by my Department, under my direction as Minister of State with responsibility for road safety. In addition, a grant increase of £50,000 was allocated to the National Safety Council for increased promotional activity in late 1997; the National Roads Authority, in co-operation with local authorities, is to accelerate its programme for remedial measures at high accident locations; and operation lifesaver is to be continued by the Garda Síochána as a high profile enforcement initiative with particular emphasis on the key driving offences which cause deaths.
Given the arrangements explained above for urgently preparing a national road safety strategy for approval by the Government, it is not proposed to establish a Cabinet sub-committee for this purpose.
