Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I still think our role in respect of all of this, when it comes road safety, is that people should proceed with caution and without undue haste. The same should be true when it comes to legislation. We should give it the proper scrutiny it deserves and get informed views from across the board.

I accept the Minister of State's point that there is evidence about penalty points from one other jurisdiction and that there are variations in speed limits depending on road conditions. Where technology has come in, it has led to significant advances in respect of that. Technology is a way forward and will deal with some of these issues. It may mean that we will require less of the physical detection that we now require. The problem we have at the moment is that speeding usually occurs because someone is intoxicated. There are multiple factors involved. The person needs to be caught in the act.

I know other jurisdictions have looked at installing tachographs on lorries which can detect the speed at which the lorry travelled over a period of time. While driving, it will show the driver what the speed limit is on a particular road and whether, for example, the limit has gone from 80 km/h to 100 km/h or 60 km/h. I am sure it records or can record that, so technology will catch up with us in respect of this. That is why we should be careful that we do not bring in legislation we regret at some point because the public rebels against it, finds it too restrictive and will not comply with it. People might not comply with or believe in it.

I hate to use the term "nanny state" but people have that notion that they are being "lawed" out of it rather than asked to co-operate. We should give it due scrutiny in that respect.