Sinn Fein spokesperson on Transport, Martin Kenny TD has expressed his sorrow at the news of three more fatalities on our roads last night.

Speaking in the Dáil this morning, Teachta Kenny asked the Minister for Transport what measures he is taking to improve road safety.
 
Teachta Kenny said:

“Road fatalities are increasing year on year, whilst our Roads Policing Unit is decreasing year on year. There is no Garda presence on our roads in vast areas of the state and this is contributing to the increase in road fatalities.

“We also know that the RSA was denied a €6 million funding request by the Department of Transport in the last couple of weeks.

“We clearly have a crisis in road safety and the Department and Government need to provide investment in order to save lives on our roads.

“This must include a commitment from the government to prioritise resourcing of the Roads Policing Unit within An Garda Síochána to ensure that enforcement of road safety is being maintained.  The unit is 15% below 2021 levels and have lost 104 members in the last two years. This must be rectified immediately.

“There are communities around the state demanding road safety works in their area, whether it be on a dangerous bend, approach to a school or village. These are minor road safety works that local authorities can do but they are being denied funding from government to implement these vital road safety measures.

“It is vital that the €150m cut from the road maintenance budget is restored and increased in order for upgrades and maintenance to be carried out, particularly on secondary roads and collision black-spots.”