Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Most of my questions concern the alcohol issue for a particular reason. It is surprising that 4% of fatalities are on motorways. One might think because a car is travelling at 120 km/h, there would be many more accidents. Although 4% still equates to a large number of deaths, why are there comparatively few incidents on a motorway? Is it because people feel there is a far better Garda presence on motorways to stop speeding? Do people who consume alcohol know there is a far better chance of being caught on a motorway rather than in a rural village? The people in rural villages have one or two extra glasses or wine or bottles of beer and may think there is a greater chance of them not being caught.

I keep going back to this and the Chairman knows it; if people drink, they should not drive. The bottom line is we should go for zero tolerance. There is the idea of going for a 20 mg level but people who drink can be stubborn. I have done a bit of bar work in my time and trying to get keys from someone who has consumed alcohol can be very hard. Not too many people would take on a person trying to get into a car with a set of keys. I know Mr. Wilson stated it is not really a criminal offence but the punishment must suit the crime. There are three people here who have lost loved ones and no matter what happens, nobody is going to replace them. I remember years ago my daughter had meningitis and, touch wood, she survived. As a parent, I am always in fear of the knock on the door. I would not wish it on anyone. The advertisement years ago had a garda coming to a house.

We talk about speeding and everything else but with alcohol, a person has the choice of drinking or not. I am involved with sport and many people go out. For example, there might be a designated driver in a group of four or five. We should encourage that more. The punishment must suit the crime. Until we go with zero tolerance, we will have a serious problem on the roads. There could be many knocks on doors.