Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sorry; that is what I meant. It is very worrying.

However, I am glad the conviction rate has been clarified, because everybody nearly had a heart attack when we heard it. It is approximately 80%, which is below the European average so we must increase that. We have been conveying the message as much as we can, but obviously it must be done more extensively. We must look at every angle. Undoubtedly, we have come a long way from the earlier years.

The witness did an analysis of what interventions would be critical, but there was no mention of the amount of drug driving and what statistics there are in that regard. I believe its incidence is probably greater than we realise in terms of accidents. We do not have figures for accidents, and it remains one of the issues on which it is very difficult to get figures. The testing has started, but are there any figures on that or is there any type of pattern in terms of how much that is affecting the figures?

The other issue is vehicle failure. The witness mentioned the NCT. Recent laws have introduced new rules and regulations in that regard. However, I have always been worried about vehicle failure and how it affects these figures. Some of the advertisements have been very good and graphic. The more graphic ones have a big impact. They are put on at the right time in spite of many children viewing, so some of them have had a very good impact.

With regard to school interventions both by the Garda and the RSA, is greater consideration being given to that and trying to get through to people at a younger age? If we do not do that, it will be difficult to achieve a change in these figures. That is the key to trying to get the figures down.

Finally, what resources are needed? From the Garda point of view, are there enough resources such as van and road checks? Has that led to a static situation, if the witnesses understand me? If there were more resources, would we get the figures down or the number of people caught and convicted increased? Is that a big issue?