Taoiseach urges caution on the journey home for Christmas

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is today pleading with people to be careful on the roads this Christmas.

Deputy Kenny's call comes as the big Christmas getaway for tens of thousands of people is underway this evening.

Many more will be on the roads again tomorrow to spend time with loved ones.

"If they're driving, be very careful," he said. "Obviously we've had some unfortunate tragedies, black ice, accidents."

This year is set to be one of the safest years on our roads in decades, with road deaths expected to fall below 200 for the first time since records began in 1959.

Chairman of the Road Safety Authority Gay Byrne says they are making huge progress in reducing road deaths, but policing must be maintained at its current level.

Mr Byrne has expressed his horror at reports that the Garda Traffic Corps could be broken up.

He says the RSA will continue to oppose any cuts to the Traffic Corps budget.