Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

We have heard all of this from the Taoiseach before. The late Professor John Kelly used to say in this House that, if one allowed people to drive a tonne of metal down the road regardless of speed limits, there would be serious tragedies. At this point in the year, 50 deaths — eight in 24 hours — is a scandal of national proportions.

The Taoiseach has not implemented what he has talked about. He now tells us the issue of random breath testing is resolved. He gave the most complicated response to a question in this House last week, which has caused complete confusion between lawyers, the public, gardaí and members of the Government. The random breath testing issue is not resolved. There is no reform of driver education and no national programme for young drivers and non-nationals driving in this country, where they must drive on the left-hand side of the road rather than the right-hand side. Why have we got 425,000 people on provisional driving licences? Why is there a waiting list of over 53 weeks in many centres? Surely this is evidence of complete incompetence by whoever is in charge.

On the roll out of penalty points, referred to by the Taoiseach and promised by the Government, four offences covered eight years. There is complete inconsistency in the whole business of speed limits, from 60 km/h to 100 km/h. For example, the limit is 100 km/h outside some schools. Every piece of roadway where major contractors contracted with the NRA or local authorities are nothing short of obstacle courses.

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