Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Let me deal with Deputy Troy's issues first. I will try to get him those figures on road fatalities linked to alcohol. I am not sure they are available, but I will see if I can get them.

The system of sending summonses by registered post was tried but did not work. That was because people simply knew what was in the registered letter and did not accept delivery of it. Registered post is a mixed blessing. When the guy rings the bell and says it is registered post, one does not know whether one wants it or not. When one is expecting something like a summons, one probably does not take the registered post. The system was tried a couple of years ago but it did not work.

Part 3 of the 2010 Act has provisions to deal with proof of postage, which should close this loophole. That will be commenced on 1 June this year.

The Road Safety Authority made welcome suggestions about naming and shaming, in late October or November last year, but did not produce a Bill. We are committed to doing the general scheme for that this year. It will certainly help in outing disqualified drivers and keeping them off the road. As the Deputy knows, many of these people are still driving and are even employed as drivers.