High vis and helmets do not protect cyclists from unobservant or dangerous drivers. ABS and Polystyrene helms and neon colours that only function in already bright conditions won't stop cyclists being killed or maimed by some 2 ton wankpanzer. Driver training will.
The sheer ignorance of politicians and Gardaí to the reality of this issue asrounds me. It's more paternalistic nonsese. The mandatory helmet laws in Australia haven't stopped any of the problems.