Call for Submissions: Review of Road Safety Authority

The Department of Transport (“the Department”) is responsible for transport policy and overseeing the transport sector in Ireland. One of the agencies under the remit of the Department is the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The RSA is a statutory organisation created by the Road Safety Authority Act 2006.

The mission of the RSA is to save lives and prevent injuries by reducing the number and severity of collisions on the road. The RSA is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The RSA’s functions are set out in Section 4 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012, and certain provisions of the Road Traffic Acts.

The non-executive board of the RSA is appointed by the Minister of Transport, as prescribed by the Road Safety Authority Act 2006. Section 14 of the Act states that the Board of the RSA shall consist of a chairperson and not less than six and not more than eleven ordinary members. ‘Working to Save Lives’ is the stated target adopted by the current Board of the RSA.

The RSA is a non-commercial public body which has reduced its dependence on Exchequer funding since 2009, currently receiving negligible direct Exchequer subvention. The RSA’s revenue comes primarily from fees generated from the provision of services – driver licensing and testing, and passenger and commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing services. Presently, the only Exchequer funding it receives is for residual pension commitments and, since 2021, and in line with its EU obligations, for establishing an Automotive Market Surveillance Authority (AMSA). However, COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis have strained the self-financing model.

This review of the RSA is being undertaken to make recommendations on the future structure and operation of the Authority, including potential legislative changes, to ensure it delivers a high-quality service in the years ahead.

Terms of Reference for Review

Click here for access to the RSA - Background and Terms of Reference.

Submissions

The department is now inviting submissions in relation to this review of the RSA. Please download and complete the survey available below and email your submission to: RSAreview@transport.gov.ie. Please insert ‘Public consultation on review of RSA’ in the subject field of your email.

The closing date for receipt of submissions is 11:59pm on Friday 5 April.

Respondents are advised that the Department is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007-2014, and Data Protection legislation.

With the exception of a name and address, personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in your submission or observations, and it will be presumed that all information contained in your submission is releasable under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Please note that written submissions received may be publicly posted on the website of the Department of Transport.