Deputy Shane Ross:

…. Since the beginning of the crisis, domestic travel has significantly reduced. Notwithstanding this, road deaths remain slightly above the numbers for the same period last year. In particular, there has been a worrying increase in the number of pedestrian deaths. Figures for drink-driving are as high as last year and the incidence of drug-driving is significantly up. At this time, when we are all concerned about the impact of Covid-19, I appeal to all road users to act responsibly and with care….. 

….The statistics, sadly, show that a significant number of pedestrians have been killed. It is difficult to connect that with the fact that there are fewer cars on the roads. The evidence is that drink-driving is still going on, as is drug-driving. It may well be that more people are being caught and convicted because of there being more gardaí on the road. The RSA is looking into the matter and it is due to report to me shortly on why it thinks this is happening. It is almost inexplicable that deaths are going up given that traffic is down by approximately 70%. That is something we should find out about. …