Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
418. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of serious and fatal road traffic collisions that gardaí attended between Junction 4 and Junction 8 on the M50 in both directions in the years of 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7609/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister, I have no role in this matter.
I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that, as there is no Junction 8 on the M50, An Garda Síochána looked at collisions between Junction 4 (Ballymun Exit) and Junction 9 (Naas Road Exit).
I am informed that there were fewer than 10 Fatal or Serious Injury Collisions at or near these locations in the time period examined. A Garda member attended the scene for all but one of these collisions.
Figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2023 to 13 February 2024, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 14 February 2024 and is liable to change.
Road safety is a shared responsibility, and it is one which this Government takes very seriously. We have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities in 2023, and into this year, after many years of progress in making our roads safer.
I am informed by Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána is committed to working closely with all road safety agencies to focus on high risk behaviour with the key objective of reducing the number of serious injury collisions and fatalities on our roads.
Budget 2024 provides for 800-1000 new Garda recruits. Growing the strength of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 and beyond will allow the further expansion of specialist units, including the roads policing unit.
Also as part of Budget 2024, €3.6m additional funding has been allocated for GoSafe speed cameras, continuing the increased level of 9,000 hours a month announced last year through the whole of 2024.
