Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I am an active, born and bred Dubliner. I am looking forward to Christmas in Dublin and I know other Dubliners are too. I am particularly delighted with the announcement this morning with regard to Luas. I use Luas as much as I can, thought not so much at 3 a.m., but I look forward to the extended hours at Christmas.

Deputy Coveney is right to say road safety should not be a party political issue. I hope we all agree on that. Road safety is a serious issue and I hope we can help the Minister in that area.

Deputy Jim O'Keeffe made a point about soft targets. One has to be very careful in that area. I recall making a similar speech when I was cathaoirleach of Dublin County Council six years ago, and being given a lecture by the road safety people. The perception exists in terms of speeding that there are soft targets. Some weeks ago, I attended a Fianna Fáil meeting in Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, where it was noted that areas such as the Belgard Road are regarded as soft targets. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe is correct in that respect.

I have visited a number of schools in south-west Dublin. At a girls' school in Greenhills, I had an opportunity to actively support the road safety week it had introduced. I commend such initiatives and look forward to voting for the Government's amendment.

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