Results 421-440 of 1,036,181 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Paul McAuliffe OR speaker:Verona Murphy) in 'Committee meetings'

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)

Verona Murphy: Clearly Mr. Rowland did not tune into the last discussion we had about this with the Department of Transport. I will go to Mr. Walsh and maybe Mr. Rowland will be better informed after this. The criteria for the medical in the NDLS for professional drivers was extended to the age of 75. Is that correct?

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

Verona Murphy: The requirement for a medical is now 75 years of age.

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

Verona Murphy: Who advises on that? Contrary to what Professor O'Neill would say, we now have a situation where one cannot drive a school bus under a Bus Éireann tender at the age of 70 because of Professor O'Neill's advice, yet, somebody told the RSA that it was okay to extend the medical to the age of 75.

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

Verona Murphy: We can only go on the number of deaths on the road. That is why the RSA here: to give us answers about why that is happening. We have a situation where we cannot get bus drivers under the Bus Éireann tender. I received a text today that states there are 110 pupils going from Kilmore to Wexford. We will have at least 60 extra cars on the road for the want of two bus drivers. Mr....

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

Verona Murphy: We are not talking about cars.

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

Verona Murphy: The medical pertains to driving a bus.

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

Verona Murphy: Hold on now, Chair. Do not run down the clock on me with rubbish. I put a question about school buses. We are not talking about cars.

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

Verona Murphy: Did you not understand the question? The question is not about what Professor O’Neill advised. It is about why we have a medical at the age of 75. Who advised that?

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

Verona Murphy: Why have you not committed to doing that already? Why have you appeared here to be told that? Have you not recognised that contradiction up to now?