Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If the Chairman will allow me to discuss the matter raised by Deputy O'Keeffe, is the Minister aware that, in rural Ireland, many farmers and smaller operators have vans? Since these are deemed to be commercial, they have to obey the lower limit of 20 mg even when they are just using it to go home in the evening after work or so on. They only have one vehicle but they are being treated the same as the person who drives a 55-seat coach on the motorway at the maximum speed limit. This law was wrong when it was introduced in 2010. These people have to be under the 20 mg limit even though it is their only vehicle. Some might only have a small tractor to get to the shop, but they are treated just like the driver of an articulated truck. Surely they should not be hit any further.

The ridiculous thing about it is that, if gardaí stop them and see that they have been driving their vans for personal use, they will look at their tax discs and see that they have not paid private tax. On the other hand, if they are stopped after taking a couple of drinks, they are treated as commercial drivers even though they are driving the vans for their personal use and they have to obey the 20 mg rule. That is very unfair. I am asking the Minister not to hurt these people in rural Ireland any further.