Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the missing pilot Mark Duffy, from my home town of Dundalk, and of winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith. Also, I extend my sympathy to the family, friends and workmates of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick. This has been the darkest day for Ireland's emergency services and I hope the missing crew members from the Coast Guard helicopter R116 are found soon. Thank you, Chairman, for giving me the opportunity to say that.

I welcome the witnesses to the meeting. I agree with some of the comments of Verona Murphy of the Irish Road Haulage Association. In particular, the wearing of headphones by cyclists should be stopped as a matter of urgency. I travel from Dundalk to the Dáil regularly and I see the dangers that cyclists cause not only for themselves but also for other road users. I also agree with Ms Murphy's statement that we must educate children from an early age about the rules of the road and, in particular, safe cycling practice. Does the Irish Road Haulage Association have any data or statistics to highlight the dangers that poor cycling behaviour has caused for its members?