Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have been advised, not just by my officials but also in the legal advice I have taken , is that the approach taken here, which is very much based on the approach taken on the penalty points system for licence holders, is required in order for us to meet our responsibilities as an EU member state and member state control authority. We are required to put in place a system which is effective, dissuasive and proportionate. The whole approach and the terms and conditions around it are structured to ensure we meet those thresholds and that what emerges from this process brings us into compliance. We are the only member that is not in compliance. This legislation is designed to achieve that and it is the minimum required to ensure we do that.