Mr. David Fitzgerald:

It did not happen overnight, but if we were to look across the water, going back a little over ten years ago, when the UK brought in a similar system, uninsured driving levels would have been up at approximately 6.5%. Members will have seen in the comparative table that the UK has been able to get that down to 2.5%. It has taken time, but it is a matter of bringing in the technology and giving the police forces the tools to aid enforcement. If people feel they will get caught, and if we have the modern, digital ability to detect the uninsured drivers, which the Road Traffic and Roads Bill would act as an enabler of, we could bring that percentage down significantly over the coming years. It is a virtuous circle even because if people feel they will get caught, it drives the right behaviour. We saw that when penalty points and speed cameras came in. It made a difference to road safety and fatalities. There is a prize like that for us if we can get this technology in and give gardaí the tools to increase enforcement. This will change hearts and minds.