Mr. Conor Faughnan:

I agree. When over-the-counter medication states not to drive or operate heavy machinery, it means what it says. We will have to remind people of this. To be a driver on Irish roads one has a set of obligations and one willingly signs up to them before one turns the key in the ignition. One must have a proper driving licence, the car must be taxed, insured and have its NCT and be fit for purpose and so must the driver. It is a driver's responsibility to ensure he or she does not take to the road impaired. It will never be possible for legislation to write down every conceivable substance or combination of substances that could make one impaired, but we can enshrine a principle that it is the driver's responsibility to ensure he or she is not impaired. This could be by alcohol, illicit medication or prescription medication taken correctly but driving against doctor's advice, by prescription medication self-medicated or taken foolishly, by stuff bought over-the-counter or by fatigue. One's responsibility before one turns the key is to ensure the car and the driver are in a fit state to take to the road, as per the law and regulations. This must be an accepted cultural norm. The legislation is not the last word on this, but it incrementally moves us an inch or two closer to an ideally regulated state, if there could ever be such a thing. It probably addresses some current anomalies and it is our first proper attempt to address the issue of drugs and driving. In this context, I suggest it is very welcome.