Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 April 2025
403. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport whether the Road Safety Authority has provided clarity on its recommendations for the division of its operations into two groups; and specifically, what the role and objectives of the 'Advocacy' group are in promoting road safety in the country. [19372/25]
View answerIn January 2024 the Department commissioned an independent, external review of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). On 5 November 2024, the Government approved publication of the Review and noted the proposal of the Minister for Transport to reform the RSA.
This reform will be carried out on a phased and planned basis. In the short-term, a Departmental Group led by the Department and comprising relevant stakeholders, is tasked with developing a comprehensive implementation plan, including required legislation, to ensure the reform delivers road safety improvements. In line with the November 2024 Government decision, this implementation plan, once drafted, will require future Government approval. As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports I will be reviewing the independent report and the options for reform to be presented by the Department of Transport and the Departmental Group.
The Department will also take full ownership of the formulation of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, starting with the Phase 2 Action plan for 2025-2027. To support this work, the Department of Transport and Road Safety Authority established a new Road User Safety Forum, comprising road users and road safety advocates representing a range of interests and perspectives, to serve as a consultative body for the emerging Phase 2 Action Plan, which will be adopted and published shortly.
