Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the information he has given to us. We have discussed the issue of road safety and I raised in the Dáil with the Minister the need for a philosophical and attitudinal change to what we find acceptable with regard to road death figures. I used the 1970s as an example when more than 600 people died on the roads every year in Ireland. In the late 1990s the figure was more than 400. In time to come I hope we will look back and state that in the early part of the 21st century the figures were also shockingly high. To this end, what further measures does the Minister envisage being initiated in Europe in the implementation of modern technology to help stem number of road deaths? Does he envisage speed restrictions for large vehicles which were applied here in the mid-2000s being applied across the board? Does he see alcolocks being applied across the board? How far off is this? Is it something on which Ireland could lead the way?