Kildare Councillors Asked To Support No Confidence Motion In RSA

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 15:05

By Martin Osborne

President of the IRHA, Ger Hyland believes unless there is a change to the RSA, the driving test backlog and rising death toll on the roads will continue.

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is urging local authorities to submit motions of no confidence in the Road Safety Authority.

It follows Kerry County Council's decision to back such a motion.

185 people died on the roads last year, and the IRHA is calling for a re-evaluation of the RSA's role.

A letter detailing the concerns is expected to be emailed to all Cllrs across Kildare.

President of the IRHA Ger Hyland believes unless there is a change to the RSA, the driving test backlog and rising death toll on the roads will continue.

The letter, signed by Hyland, says promised reforms from the Indecon review were dropped on cost grounds, leaving a "broken" driven testing system, huge learner permit backlogs, and knock-on damage to young drivers, rural communities and businesses.

Independent Ireland Cllr Bill Clear says one of his main frustrations is that the Road Safety Authority does not share data with local authorities on roads with a history of repeated near-misses or collisions.

He says the absence of this information undermines local road safety planning, leaving councils without the evidence needed to target problem areas and implement effective safety measures.