Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Such analysis is being done. Many investigations take place on foot of serious road accidents. I would not like to diminish the strong role of local authorities in that regard, not only under the Department of Transport but also under the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

I was surprised to find, after Deputy Shortall raised this matter on a previous occasion, that records are not kept of the qualifications or lack of qualifications of drivers who are involved in road accidents. We need to have such information at our disposal as a matter of urgency because it would indicate clearly rather than notionally the level of driving competence of young people and others involved in accidents. As the information that has been made available is sketchy, one cannot make an absolute assessment on the basis of it.

This issue needs to be considered in the context of the Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill 2004. I look forward to tabling amendments to the Bill and I will be open to any amendments which will be proposed by other Deputies. I do not disagree with Deputy Shortall, who has raised this matter previously, in this regard.

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