Kerry councillor says Junior Transport Minister should consider his position after ‘sham’ response

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry councillor has asked the junior transport minister to “consider his position” after his “sham” response to a letter from Kerry County Council recommending making high visibility vests mandatory.

Independent councillor Charlie Farrelly said he was “horrified” by the reply from the junior transport minister Seán Canney, which he dubbed the “worst I have ever seen on Oireachtas paper”.

Cllr Farrelly had previously asked the council to write to the transport minister regarding making hi-vis mandatory for cyclists, pedestrians and e-scooter riders.

At a meeting of Kerry County Council this week, the response from the junior minister was presented which advised there were no plans to introduce such legislation.

It added: “the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has successfully been running the ‘Be seen, be safe’ campaign for over a decade and this has transformed road safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists…both the government and the RSA strongly recommend the use of high-visibility vests and armbands.”

“What a sham of an answer,” an angry Cllr Farrelly said.

“I would seriously ask the minister to consider his position after writing back a reply like this… they have not transformed road safety in any shape or form.”

Cllr Farrelly highlighted that there were 190 fatalities on Irish roads in 2025 which was an increase from the 175 deaths recorded in 2024.

He called for the council to write to the junior minister advising that the RSA be disbanded. Cllr Farrelly has previously called directly for the disbandment of the RSA.

“It’s an absolute disgrace…an absolute sham report,” said Cllr Farrelly.

“This reply is the worst I have ever seen on Oireachtas paper.”