Results 421-440 of 1,040,633 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Niall Collins OR speaker:Simon Harris OR speaker:David Stanton)

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: Fair enough. I am interested in the science behind the ads that are made for, and with, the RSA. Ms O’Connor spoke about the great deal of research that has been done to judge the impact of those ads. We had this conversation many years ago. Lotto ads are successful. They convince us all that we will win the lotto with “It could be you”, so we all go out and do it....

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: Is that analsyed? Attitude is a major issue. We can do all we can in terms of enforcement, but there has been a serious change in attitude in many parts of our lives in recent years. I will not say why, but since that dreaded occasion, people’s attitudes have slipped backwards where road safety is concerned but not where other issues are concerned. Is there science behind this?...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: I thank Ms O’Connor. I wish to raise three issues about schools, although I would be happy to get the responses at the end of the meeting.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: The RSA is involved in the promotion of road safety around schools. How involved is it with schools? Is that at primary, secondary or third level? Where does the RSA mainly focus and from where is the best benefit derived? Much more can be done in this regard. We cannot expect schools to do everything and there is a role for the RSA. I presume it is engaging with them. What has been...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: It is an issue that is often raised with Deputies, as there is a demand for buses and bus drivers. Our understanding is that people cannot drive with Bus Éireann if they are aged over 70, yet they can return to the same schools at 9.30 a.m. and drive the same kids in the same buses to football matches on private contracts. They just cannot do the school runs.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: Has the RSA a role in that rule?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: That is my question. I want to understand the science behind it.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: I know I am over time, but could Mr. Rowland furnish us with Professor O'Neill's advice or guidance? I thought it was the RSA which-----

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: On that point, does the same advice not counter the information about going to a football match a half an hour later? I refer to situations where the same driver is employed privately.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: Does the RSA have a view on this?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: Please forward that to the committee.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: We are here to discuss the figures and the budget and to focus on the bang for our buck. It strikes me that we drive the roads every day, and none of us is a saint. The figures are going the wrong way. Given what we are seeing on the roads, it is amazing that the figures are not a great deal worse. The figures do not capture how serious this is. We are in a really difficult situation in...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: Should it not be on the advice of the RSA, Who is advising whom? That is all I need to know.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: So it is RSA advice. Let us be clear.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: Mr. Rowland gave the impression that it was not the RSA. The RSA's advice is that someone over the age of 70 should not drive a bus.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: I know that. I am not a medical person. I am not saying Professor O'Neill is right or wrong. I want to know who is making the decision. Where does the buck land? Is it the RSA and not the national office for traffic medicine?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: Not on RSA advice.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: I note that, I appreciate that and I agree with it but what of in-car technology? Are we missing out on the use of technology in the vehicles?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: I do not want to hog the meeting. Mr. Waide believes that and I sense he is right. My question was who is responsible for driving that? Is it the RSA, the Department or us? Who or where is the responsibility? Nobody has the answer.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Road Safety Authority (27 Jun 2024)

Damien English: There was the question about insurance and tax. I know I am being a bit of a nuisance but this is useful.