Liz O’Donnell replaces Gay Byrne as head of road safety group

A former junior minister is to head the Government’s road safety campaigns. Liz O’Donnell, a former Progressive Democrat TD, has been given a five-year tenure as chair of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) following Gay Byrne’s retirement.

The appointment was made by Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe and comes as the road death toll increased for the first time last year after several years of decline to record lows.

The department said Ms O’Donnell expressed an interest in serving on a state board following a 2010 initiative to encourage women candidates which has seen more than 30 women appointed to similar positions.