Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Do not think for one second that I am in favour of compromising road safety or reducing speed limits; I am not. I thoroughly support what the RSA is doing. Its campaign on TV and radio before the summer holidays was very strong and those striking visible images are ones we need to talk to people about more. In a modern world where our young drivers are more frequently on TikTok, other social media and especially Instagram than in listening to radio or watching television, that is where we should look to target them.

My observations are not meant to be those of a crank member of the committee but of one who accepts we need to have systems in place for speed and speed checks. The vast majority of what the RSA does is positive but I am concerned that where a slowdown speed limit is enforced and there is nothing happening in terms of road works or construction, it compromises its message and its ability to bring drivers with it. They see this there for weeks or months and nothing is happening.

I welcome the relationship with Taiwan, in particular, in terms of driver licences. It is important. I concur with members on the issues regarding the NCT and the driver licence that have been raised. I ask that the comments Deputy Carey made on delays in the car rental sector be followed up on. We all have received those emails.

I do not want Mr. Waide to think I am in any way negative or against what he is trying to do. I am trying to help him by ensuring we put cameras in the places where we have a myriad of accidents and where there is a history and continuation of speeding. I do not see it, maybe I am biased, on the roads I travel on, which I have mentioned. I thank Mr. Waide for indulging my comments.