189. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to reduce road collisions and road fatalities. [66587/26]

I thank the Deputy. Road safety is a top priority for me and for this Government. Every death or serious injury on our roads is one too many.

Ireland is consistently among the stronger performers in Europe on road safety, ranking in the top five EU countries in recent comparative data. But there can be no complacency. Strong performance is not enough while lives are still being lost

The fifth Road Safety Strategy is our framework for action. It targets a 50% reduction in deaths and serious injuries this decade. The Phase 2 Action Plan for 2025 to 2027 sets out 12 transformative actions and 77 supporting actions to get us there.

I chair the Road Safety Leadership Group, which drives delivery at ministerial level and brings together Transport, Justice, An Garda Síochána, the RSA and the other key delivery bodies.

We are acting on legislation, enforcement and data. The National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026 will allow local authorities to resume processing collision data along with a number of other provisions to enable improved road safety outcomes. The next Road Traffic and Roads Bill is under development and will advance graduated speeding penalties and camera enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences.

I am working closely with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and An Garda Síochána on any further legislative interventions needed to tackle the dangerous behaviours seen recently on our roads.

We are progressing delivery of the speed limit review. That includes the introduction of a default 30 km/h limit in urban areas, where lower speeds can make the greatest difference for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.

We are also addressing repeated learner permit renewals. New regulations will come into effect this November to tackle the long-standing issue of multiple learner permit renewals and to encourage progression through the driver licensing system.

We are tightening rules where risks are emerging. E-scooter regulations now set clear requirements on speed, power, weight and use.  Further regulations are signed to raise the minimum age to 18, require helmets and high-visibility clothing, and increase penalties.

We have also strengthened the law on scramblers. Their use is now explicitly banned in public places, except in appropriate circumstances on private land with consent. That gives Gardaí clearer powers to act against dangerous and antisocial use.

We are increasing enforcement and using technology to deliver better road safety outcomes. The National Safety Camera Strategy assists An Garda Síochána to deploy more speed cameras and provides the framework for wider deployment of cameras targeting speeding, red-light running and bus lane infringements, with scope to support enforcement of other offences in future. Better use of data and technology will help us target interventions where they can have the greatest impact.

We are making roads safer by design. This year, €14 million is allocated under the Low-Cost Safety Improvement Scheme for targeted engineering measures at identified risk locations.

We are also investing in behaviour change. The RSA has ringfenced €18 million this year for road safety awareness, education and campaigns aimed at all road users, including vulnerable road users.

So the approach is clear: stronger laws, better data, smarter technology, tougher enforcement, safer speeds, safer road design and focused education.

My focus as Minister, the focus of my Department and of all the road safety stakeholders who we work with, is on the delivery of the Phase 2 Action Plan. This Action Plan was developed by experts, based on Irish experience while considering best practice in other countries and our focus is on the delivery of these agreed actions.