Road Safety Authority spent €43k on media training ahead of committee appearances

Sinn Fein's John Brady criticised the level of expenditure as 'quite incredible'.

The Road Safety Authority has spent more than €43,000 on media training services for staff ahead of appearances before Oireachtas committees over the last three and a half years.

A total of €43,580 has been spent by the RSA across four years on media consultancy services, with the agency coming in for criticism from Sinn Féin over what is described as “incredible” levels of expenditure.

The highest spending in a single year came in 2024, where €18,997 was provided by the RSA to PR firm Drury for its services. A further €15,427 was spent in 2025, while €8,186 was spent in 2023. So far in 2026, €968 has been spent on PR training.

The RSA said, in a parliamentary reply to Sinn Féin TD John Brady, that the expenditure included "preparation and support for Oireachtas committee appearances".

The services provided by Drury include “broader knowledge-building and professional development in relation to the media, political, public policy, and stakeholder environment”.

“Where appropriate, sessions are strategically scheduled to coincide with committee and other media appearances. Not all staff participating in these sessions appeared before every committee, as the training forms part of their wider ongoing professional development and upskilling,” wrote the RSA.

“We consistently prepare to the highest standard for all committee and media engagements, ensuring that participants are equipped to respond effectively to any questions posed and to clearly articulate evidence-based perspectives and insights that contribute to improved road safety outcomes for all.”

Mr Brady criticised the level of expenditure as “quite incredible”.

“At a time when the RSA should be focused on addressing the many substantive issues it faces, including the chronically long wait times for driving tests and the worsening number of deaths on our roads, they chose to spend resources trying to polish their public image,” Mr Brady said.

“It will also not be lost that this follows the news of the temporary closure of a test centre in Raheny, where wait times are already double the state-wide average with some learners waiting over six months to be invited to apply for a test.

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“When the RSA should be working to restore public trust and confidence, this spend on media training represents another blow to that effort and reinforces concerns about its overall approach.

“The priority should be improving services for motorists and tackling the serious issues facing the organisation, not PR training.”

The RSA has been contacted for comment.

• Tadgh McNally, political reporter