A government minister suggested changing the name of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to the Road Safety Agency, saying the authority had come in for “unfair criticism” over its work.
Minister of State Sean Canney floated the idea after he rejected a previous plan to break up the RSA into two separate bodies.
Mr Canney said the brand, while recognised by the public, could be used more effectively to encourage road safety.
In a letter to the RSA chair, he wrote: “I … propose to rename the RSA as the ‘Road Safety Agency’. Having the title of ‘Authority’ despite being one actor among many in the road safety space has led to unfair criticism in the past of the RSA.
“This will allow for the ‘RSA’ brand to be maintained.”
The suggestion was made against the backdrop of increased road deaths and growing pressure on the Road Safety Authority.
The RSA has been accused of having a conflict of interest in trying to promote safety while funding itself through driving tests and NCTs.
However, the plan for the ‘agency’ name change was subsequently dropped, the Department of Transport confirmed.
A spokesperson said: “In relation to renaming the Road Safety Authority as the ‘Road Safety Agency’, this was proposed but will not be taken forward as part of the reform programme.”
The RSA had been happy to move ahead with the rebrand, according to correspondence that was released under FOI.
Its chairperson Anne Graham wrote to Mr Canney saying: “The transfer of the National Vehicle and Driver File to the RSA is also welcomed as well as the proposed renaming.”
The records also show the minister raised the possibility of price hikes for services provided by the authority, including driving tests and NCTs.