Northern Ireland

Infrastructure Minister refuses to answer questions at a press conference

John O’Dowd declined to answer questions on the A5 or Derry’s Caw roundabout at road safety event

Photo caption – Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd was joined by road safety partners today as he launched the ‘Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030’, which focuses on safe roads, safe vehicles and safe people. Pictured left to right are: Michael Bloomfield, Chief Executive NI Ambulance Service; Aidan Jennings – Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, NIFRS, Minister John O’Dowd and Superintendent Jonathan Wilson – PSNI
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd at the official launch of the Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030 at Crescent Fire Station, Derry. Included from left, are Michael Bloomfield, chief executive, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Aidan Jennings, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, and PSNI Superintendent Jonathan Wilson, Head of Public Order Public Safety Branch. (Lorcan Doherty)
By Catherine McGinty

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has refused to answer several questions put to him by journalists at a press conference in Derry, including a date for improvements to the Caw roundabout - a local accident black spot.

Mr O’Dowd was in the city for the launch of his department’s Road Safety Strategy days after strong criticism of the lack of detail in the Executive’s Programme for Government, which was seven months in the making.

Following a road crash rescue demonstration by members of the fire service, Mr O’Dowd commended the fire service personnel involved, saying they had dealt with a real road collision in Co Derry earlier in the day.

Mr O’Dowd said there were 41 confirmed RTC deaths in the north so far this year.

“Every one of those is a tragedy for the families involved. Every one of those is a loss, not simply a statistic,” he said.

The press conference got underway with Mr O’Dowd being asked about the public’s “continued concern about road safety on the A5″ and when the report into its completion would be available.

In response, Mr O’Dowd said: “I am answering questions only today on the presentation you have seen and the message in relation to the Executive’s road safety message.

“And you, as journalists, and your media organisations, and your editors and all those people behind you, have a responsibility to spread that message.”

Asked about the lack of an Irish Language Act in this week’s Programme for Government, Mr O’Dowd replied: “Did you not watch the demonstration? Did you not hear the message? Did you not hear the statistics in relation to the fatalities?

“Then I suggest this, you listen to it back again and understand what this Fire Service has to deal with today, what the police have to deal with, what the Ambulance Service has to deal with, and what families who have lost loved ones have to deal with. That is the message for today.”

Questioned about the Caw roundabout at the end of Derry’s Foyle Bridge and the site of several crashes, Mr O’Dowd said: “Same answer as the previous one.”

Pressed further on Caw roundabout, he said: “I emphasise again, look back and think about what you have just asked about this.

“If your editors are sending you out to ask these questions, just go back and tell them that the minister said today is about the road safety strategy. It is about the experiences of families who have lost loved ones. It is about the experiences of the fire brigade, the ambulance service and the police, that is today’s theme.”