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

I thank the Minister. Regarding cross-Border co-operation on penalty points and signage, do we make the argument for the northern part of the island on the co-ordination of points? Could the Minister clarify if other countries have similar problems? How do those countries with similar close proximity borders address the cross-border nature of these issues? Is this State pressing home the subject of penalty points? The UK might be a problem but we should be co-ordinating penalty points and signage and it should be a priority.

With regard to drug testing, I understand the Minister will introduce a system properly in 2016 but we need to learn from the different standards and results from other European countries. This is a far bigger contributory problem in accidents than is realised. Accidents happen out of the blue and the drugs factor has not been addressed in the past. European countries who have looked at this issue for longer may be able to offer some statistics.

Could the Minister indicate what issues have arisen regarding Shannon Airport and troop movements across Europe and if this ever comes onto the agenda? Is it left for the Department of Justice to deal with? Is it discussed in general and does the Minister get a feel for whether Ireland is overstepping the mark, or if someone else is overstepping the mark?

Perhaps the Minister could clarify whether the Volkswagen emissions scandal and its repercussions will be on the agenda? It seems to have gone off the radar and there is no sign of anyone being prosecuted. I have not heard anything. The scandal has had huge repercussions across Europe and the world.

With regard to tachographs, could the Minister say if there are plans to increase the speed limits on tachographs or will the same standards remain? Has Europe changed its position on those speed limits? It is said that the tachograph devices will be accessed externally to the vehicle so they can be monitored, which is a good idea. Some people are wary of the way tachograph limits are set and many are not happy with the limits.

The Minister has spoken on many occasions about the lowering of speed limits on carriageways. Europe has been of the opinion that carriageways should have a certain speed limit, in Ireland it is 120 km/h. There is a feeling that the speed limit on the main carriageway should be a little higher compared to other national secondary roads. Can the Minister indicate if this subject has been discussed? There has been talk of reducing the speed limit to 20 km/h in some residential housing estates. Would this opinion prevail in Europe or is it thought to be unfeasible and that 30 km/h should be the minimum? It is not clear what approach Europe has.

Cameras are now being used with drones in a big way. The Minister is correct when he spoke about the possibilities now, given the advances in electronics, for children and all people. I assume from what the Minister has said that limits may be set on the travel distances and flying heights for drones. It is an interesting matter. Can the Minister clarify if there is evidence that the use of these drones has an affect on aviation or interferes with electronic equipment? Air passengers are instructed to switch off certain equipment while flying but is there any evidence to suggest a danger from drones?