Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Having agreed the proposal for No. 22, I wish to raise a matter brought to my attention by Deputy Flanagan in respect of this committee for scrutiny of the European Union. I commended the Taoiseach's predecessor for upgrading the committee to what is currently a full-scale, all-party committee. We must understand there is a river of initiatives and proposals coming down at this committee. Although it is a full-scale Oireachtas committee, it must be resourced properly and have access to legal personnel and those who can interpret many of the initiatives so the Members of Dáil and Seanad can do their job properly.

We do not want a case where a few years down the road, people will say a proposal was approved by the Oireachtas committee charged with European scrutiny but there were unwanted consequences. Having endorsed the committee's elevation to a full-scale committee, I ask the Taoiseach to consider the question of access to proper resources for the committee in the context of these statements. I state this now because I will not have an opportunity to speak in the debate later.

In respect of the Roads Act 2007, I note the very critical comments of the chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Mr. Gay Byrne, on the continued delay and complication in the roll-out of speed cameras. This arises either from administration problems or a lack of finance. Will the Taoiseach comment on freeing up that bottleneck given last weekend's carnage on the roads, with the loss of another seven or eight people? It is a matter requiring some clear direction.

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