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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 2006

Vol. 622 No. 1

Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed).

Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

It has often been said that the Celtic tiger and the expanding economy of Ireland have impacted on our lives. This is particularly true of roads and transport. We now live in a more affluent society, as evidenced by the volume and type of traffic on our roads. The Government has a responsibility to react to the changing circumstances and legislate for this aspect of life in modern Ireland.

Major improvements in roads and the increase in the number of private cars on roads is welcome, but it also brings responsibilities that many drivers do not accept. Major roadworks can be seen in every county. The Watergrasshill, Ballincollig, Midleton, Youghal and Carrigtwohill bypasses have been completed. The Fermoy bypass and the Mitchelstown ring road will open shortly. These are positive developments in infrastructure to ensure our road network is of the highest standard.

I congratulate the Minister on this Bill, the sixth major legislative initiative taken by the Government in the past six years. All Bills have had the underlying theme of protecting road users and making transport safer. In 2001, there were 1.6 million vehicles on the roads and 411 road deaths. In 2005, there were 2.1 million vehicles on our roads and 399 road deaths, an increase on the figures for 2004. Any road death is one too many. The major increase in cars on the roads means it is everyone's responsibility to reduce road deaths. Thousands of people are injured, some seriously, because of the conduct of drivers.

If we continue to improve road safety and reduce deaths on our roads, we must target the following key areas. We must encourage responsibility among road users through an effective, co-ordinated education plan.

Sitting suspended at 1.30 p.m. and resumed at 2.30 p.m.
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