Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Okay. The Deputy was talking about the Garda presence. He is right about enforcement. It is really important. If the law is not enforced or seen to be enforced, people will take risks with drinking and driving. That is part of the equation and must be addressed. The Deputy is probably aware that after testing carried out by the Garda over the Christmas period showed the level of drink-driving was up 35% during that period, the Garda pledged that enforcement would go up, which it has. The Garda has committed to increasing enforcement by at least 10% this year. It is being addressed. It is not my job to interfere with what the Garda does but we have a meeting with the Garda every couple of months and we ask questions on what is being done about enforcement. The enforcement rates are increasing. It is not part of this particular Bill but I agree with Deputy O'Keeffe that it is part of the road safety puzzle. I will reiterate what the Deputy says in that regard at every single meeting I attend with the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, and with an assistant commissioner of the Garda. It is very important. These things have to move in tandem. We are only a small part of that jigsaw but we are an important one.