In the third part of our series looking at the key influencers on Irish roads on traffic policy, Barry McCall profiles Eddie Shaw, chairman of the National Saf ety Council and Peter Malone, chairman of the NRA.
As chairman of the National Safety Council Eddie Shaw has been described as many things including a "safety watchdog" and "safety champion" but the most apt adjective applied to him over the years is probably "fearless".
Unafraid of criticising the Government, or Government departments, he famously clashed with then environment minister Noel Dempsey in 2000 in relation to the implementation, or non-implementation, of the National Road Safety Strategy.
Shaw used the occasion of the publication of the National Safety Council's annual report to attack the Government on the issue saying that full implementation of a road safety strategy could save 200 lives per year.
Unsurprisingly, he invoked the ire of Minister Dempsey who described the statement as "outrageous" and almost went as far as him to resign.Undeterred, Shaw stuck to his guns and continued to make the case for a properly resourced system which would include the introduction of the penalty points scheme. His views have clearly found favour with Transport Minister Seamus Brennan who moved quickly to introduce the penalty points system almost as soon as he took up office in the newly established department.
On the drunk driving issue Shaw has also been consistent in calling for a system of random breath testing for any motorist who is contravention of the Road Traffic Acts.
The fact that this has just been introduced may not be entirely due to his efforts but his influence has clearly been felt.
Peter Malone was appointed chairman of the National Roads Authority in February of 2002. One of Ireland's best known businesspeople, he was managing director of the Jurys Doyle Hotel Group for 11 years until 2000 when he retired, he oversaw the successful merger between the Jurys and Doyle groups.
He is currently chairman of the Hibernian Group plc, Bord na Mona plc and the Gunne Property Group and is also a Director of a number of other companies including Jurys Doyle Hotels and Ulster Bank Limited. In addition, he is a member of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector.
While not readily associated with roads or transport Malone is seen as being very focused on national competitiveness and the impact an efficient roads infrastructure can have on it. Never one to seek the limelight most observers say that his influence is most felt in the background.He is unlikely to be seen as openly critical of any aspect of the State's policy towards road funding, but will work hard behind the scenes to address issues as they might arise.