(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for the Environment the reasons he refused to receive a deputation from the Irish Countrywomen's Association to discuss road safety for pedestrians with particular reference to the wearing of luminous armbands, if he will reconsider the matter and meet this deputation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pedestrian Road Safety.
18.
In response to representations by the Irish Countrywomen's Association, I indicated to the association that I do not consider it practicable to require pedestrians, by statutory regulations, to wear armbands, I also indicated that the National Road Safety Association have been promoting actively the wearing of armbands through publicity, making them available at retail outlets, and have the co-operation of local authorities and other bodies in this campaign. In the circumstances I did not consider that any useful purpose would be served by my meeting a deputation in the matter.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is it not some what unreasonable for the Minister to refuse to meet a large voluntary organisation, such as the ICA who are doing so much good work, to discuss a problem such as this? Would the Minister not agree that an across-the-table discussion with them might convince him that there is something in what they say or might lead to other means being devised in the area of increasing safety measures for pedestrians?
As I have explained, I wrote to the association concerned on the question of the compulsory wearing of armbands by predestrians. I do not believe there is any case for such compulsory action because it is much better to bring about a situation of that kind by persuasion. In addition, the enforcing of any such regulations would present a big problem. I explained this situation in my reply to the ICA and I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by my meeting representatives from the association merely to reiterate what I have outlined.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is that not a very discouraging attitude so far as the voluntary organisations are concerned? Would the Minister not agree that either himself or one of the two new Ministers of State who have been allocated to him, would be doing a good job in meeting large voluntary organisations, such as the ICA, on a reasonable basis rather than to have the new Ministers, as one of them has said, devoting all their time to their own constituencies?
I do not mind meeting any group but I should not like to think that I would be wasting anyone's time when the result is a foregone conclusion.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I deprecate that sort of shut-door attitude.
The Deputy may not argue the matter.