Gay Byrne appointed to road safety authority

[comcor]

27 March 2006 17:13
The Government has appointed veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne as the new chairman of the Road Safety Authority.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Transport Martin Cullen this afternoon.

The appointment follows criticism of the Government's policies on road safety by Eddie Shaw, who resigned from the National Road Safety Council last year.

Today, Mr Byrne said he expected the Government to fully support him in his work to improve road safety.

He said that if he was stonewalled or if there was any lack of cooperation he would walk away from the job and that he would call a news conference to explain why.

My favourite is this quote from Martin Cullen

Gay Byrne’s career has been characterised by courageousness and professionalism, skills that are needed as we seek to bring about a sea change in driver behaviour. His appointment underlines the seriousness that this Government is giving to road safety and to bringing an end to carnage on our roads.

It sure does, Martin. It sure does.

[PaulM]

Is this to get the pensioner vote? What next, Daniel O'Donnell as Minister for aviation? :D

[Mark]

Speech by Martin Cullen T.D., Minister for Transport at the appointment of the Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority
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27 March 2006

Thank you for joining us today for this important announcement.

It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Mr. Gay Byrne as the Chairperson of the new Road Safety Authority.

I am delighted Gay has taken on the task of working with us on road safety. Gay is a serious person for a serious job. He has earned the recognition and respect of the Irish people. Gay is hard working and committed, always giving 100% in everything he does.

Gay Byrne's career has been characterised by courageousness and professionalism, skills that are needed as we seek to bring about a sea change in driver behaviour. His appointment underlines the seriousness that this Government is giving to road safety and to bringing an end to carnage on our roads.

The team we are putting together in the RSA, with Gay as Chairman and Noel Brett as CEO, is dynamic, focussed and determined. I look forward to working with them and everyone at the RSA.

The process of establishing the RSA is nearing completion.

The RSA will have the legislative and financial muscle to coordinate and advance the road safety agenda. Its remit will be critical, be it through formulating strategies, advising Government, the testing of drivers and vehicles, road safety research and data collection, driver education and the promotion and awareness of road safety in general.

I look forward to naming the full membership of the RSA Board next week.

Once again, thank you for coming today, and I wish Gay, Noel and all their team the very best in their important role.

Thank You.

Source: http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=7410&lang=ENG&loc=1081

[Donal Quinn]

ray d'arcy had gay on his show this morning - quite impressive

gay was quite serious about what he is doing - if anyone saw the documentary on his life he is quite a tough nut - well able to resist pressure from the government to shut him down in the early days

also, ray played him the really powerful anti drink driving ad he put together which has a young lad talking at his friends funeral and he starts off with the usual "he was a great lad" etc then cracks and starts saying that the guy was an idiot who drove drunk despite them telling him not to and that he killed himself and another friend girl - the ad finishes with ray saying "don't be a f@cking idiot" - uncensored and very hard to listen to

[Mark Hennessy]

the ad finishes with ray saying "don't be a f@cking idiot" - uncensored and very hard to listen to

I think the ad loses gravitas when Darcy interjects with that pointless line.
Sill I agree uncle Gaybo sounded serious and came across as someone hoping to change attitudes. Good luck to him.