Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Bedford to the meeting. I have absolute confidence in his qualifications and experience.

I propose that the committee engage further with the Medical Bureau of Road Safety following today's meeting. Its annual report for 2020 is an extraordinary piece of work that the committee should examine. A report earlier this year revealed a trebling in the number of drivers behind the wheel after taking cocaine. Second, the increase in the taking of alcohol and drugs while driving is a worry. What is more worrying is that nine out of ten of those responsible are male. Could Dr. Bedford comment on what committee members should report to the Minister and Road Safety Authority? I recognise that the Medical Bureau of Road Safety does not have a role similar to that of the Road Safety Authority but could have a twin-track approach to improving road safety.