asked the Minister for Local Government the number of persons killed and injured on the roads during the past ten years.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to have it circulated with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

NOTE: Provisional figures for the number of persons killed and injured for the first ten months of 1974 are 475 and 6,728 respectively.

94.

asked the Minister for Local Government the steps he proposes to take to ensure greater road safety.

It is my policy and practice as Minister for Local Government to promote road safety by all the means at my disposal. The Deputy is of course aware of the various measures taken, with continuing effect, for the improvement of the road system, for the safety of vehicles and for the correct use of the roads by pedestrians, drivers and other road users. I can assure the Deputy that these measures and programmes are kept under continuous review by me.

As regards current developments, I would mention that priority attention is being paid in the annual programme of works to sections of roads found to have been high accident locations. On the vehicles side, studies are in progress regarding the introduction of a vehicle inspection scheme in due course. I am satisfied too that the driving test is continuing to help in the creation of a safer body of vehicle users.

Road safety education and publicity also play a big part in the prevention of road accidents. The functions of my Department in this area have been assigned by me to the National Road Safety Association to secure greater co-ordination of road safety activities with the maximum possible involvement of the community at all levels. The association have already taken a major step in this direction with the introduction of the "Safe Cross Code", which though primarily aimed at children involves their parents and the schools. The association is pursuing a vigorous programme aimed at all sections of the community to promote a greater awareness of the need for safety on our roads.

I hope that all these measures will serve to maintain the downward movement in the accident statistics that has been in evidence in the past two years.

Does the Minister consider it a necessary and valuable contribution to road safety that the national speed limit should be reduced to 50 miles per hour?

That was not the main reason why the speed limit was reduced. I feel that during the winter months particularly it will help, as it did last year.

Why did the Minister raise it to 60 miles per hour some months ago and why is he bringing it back to 50?

At that time the sun was shining in the evenings and now it is not.

Order, please.

Is the Minister implying that the reduction to 50 miles per hour was done for road safety purposes or was it done for conservation of fuel purposes?

I am sorry but I am finding it difficult to get through to Deputies. Last year, I put on the 50 mile speed limit for road safety purposes.

Only.

In the summer when driving was safer I removed it. Because of oil shortage and the necessity to conserve fuel I restored it. I do not intend to interfere with it again next summer unless the energy position improves.

Is the Minister saying that he imposed it before for road safety purposes, although he did so at a time when there was a fuel scarcity? Is he saying that there was no connection?

There was a connection but the main reason was for road safety.

Can we get this right? Did the Minister put on this limit for road safety or fuel conservation purposes?

It was put on for road safety purposes and—a secondary reason can always be there—for fuel conservation.

At that time what did the Minister say was the reason?

This is developing into an argument.

Does the Minister know what he said?

Question No. 95.

Does the Minister forget?

I understand that some of the former Ministers carry around their sayings and repeat them to themselves in order to make believe that they are still——

With that answer the Minister is exposed as a greater fraud than he was before.

May I object to the disappointed Fianna "Fáilers" who know they are not coming back into office?

Their only way of doing business is to come here in a pack and hurl vulgar abuse. One takes it up from the other and it passes around the House.

We expect some kind of reasonable standards from the Minister and we are not getting them.

You are making a fool of yourself every time you come in.

The Minister made a fool of himself the other night when he walked out of a dinner when a man cracked a joke.

I did not walk out of a dinner——

Order, please.

Deputy Dowling has made an incorrect statement. Would he repeat that at one of his cumann meetings and have it published? I will deal with him.

Tell us about the cheque to Farrell.

My what?

Does the Minister not understand plain English?

Your bank draft to Farrell.

Sorry, but——

The Minister's assistance to a building contractor.

Would Deputy Molloy repeat statements like this outside this House? I have not issued any cheque——

Think about that one.

I have not issued any cheque to any building contractor named Farrell, or to anybody else named Farrell. I did not follow the Deputy's line——

Or anybody else who is a building contractor?

Question No. 95.

And the Minister never rezoned land for him?

No, I did not.

Good agricultural land.

Or his agent?

No.

Ask Mr. Sharkey, the county manager.

I am sorry, a Cheann Comhairle, but——

What about the 35 acres in north County Dublin? What about Waterford? What about Circular Road in Galway?

The Chair is anxious to get on with Question Time but Deputy Molloy continues to hurl abuse across the floor.

He is getting some back, too.

The Deputy is making charges. I am passing on to the next question.

I want to state that there is no truth in the allegation made by Deputy Molloy. If he wants to have it aired, I suggest he makes it outside the House or to the gentlemen of the Press and I will then deal with Deputy Molloy.