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

I thank the Minister for allowing me to use some of his time. I congratulate the Minister on his efforts, and like the Minister I compliment my colleague, Deputy Olivia Mitchell. I have known the Deputy for some time and I served with her on the county council. I admire her work and wish her well in this regard. I am a former colleague of Deputy Shortall on a health board. It is good to hear the Minister applauding his colleagues in discussing this legislation.

As legislators we face many challenges, and one of the biggest is the perception that road collisions are inevitable. Like the Minister, Deputy Cullen, I do not share this view. The statistics continue to show that speeding, drink-driving and the non-wearing of seat belts are the killers. The real killer is that this should not be the case.

I have listened carefully to all the contributions. While I do not wish to single out one over the other, the contribution of Deputy McGinley struck a chord with all of us. He spoke of the people who have died on the roads in his constituency. My parish priest is from the Deputy's constituency in Donegal and I was aware of these deaths. Deputy McGinley's contribution struck a chord with me and, I am sure, with the Minister. It is right to remember in a debate like this that people have died, and much hurt has been caused.

Improved driver behaviour, acceptance of traffic rules, tougher enforcement, greater personal responsibility and an appreciation of other road users are the goals we must achieve. Through tough laws, visible enforcement, enhanced road building, targeted education and focused public awareness, we can meet the challenge in a real way. I congratulate the Minister on his personal commitment and energy in ensuring all the agencies and bodies involved in the various areas of road safety, including education, testing and standards, will be the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, for which legislation will be before the House next week.

I support the choice of Mr. Gay Byrne as chairman, as has been noted by the Minister and other colleagues. I am a long-time admirer of Mr. Byrne's work since he came on the scene all those years ago when I was quite young. We have all been impressed by the manner in which he responded to the appointment and the statements he made. This shows he is clear in what he wants to achieve.

Considering the data for the years since the introduction of the first road safety strategy in 1998, it is clear there has been a measurable decrease in road deaths compared with preceding years. However, having reached a 40-year low in the level of road deaths in 2003, there is now unfortunately an increasing death rate. There were 399 road deaths in 2005 and 90 lives have been lost already this year. These figures bring home the stark reality that things are not improving and that the tragic loss of life continues on a daily basis.

The adoption of a more strategic approach to road safety strategies has underpinned the realisation that the persistent growth in vehicle numbers and negative trends in road casualties required a concentrated and integrated response. Penalty points have worked. The number of road deaths fell to a 40-year low on their introduction and people responded by slowing down and obeying the rules. However, the dramatic impact waned. The primary glitch in the system, an administrative issue, was identified, a remedy was brought forward and a new system is now in place. Penalty points have clearly made a positive contribution to road safety. I therefore support the expansion of the number of penalty point offences from next Monday.

The introduction of the Garda traffic corps is also to be welcomed and supported. This dedicated unit, headed by an assistant commissioner and focusing solely on road traffic matters, has had a great impact. By the end of 2008, 1,200 gardaí will be deployed to the traffic corps, over twice the number engaged in traffic duties prior to the roll-out of the corps. The growing presence on our roads of a dedicated and highly visible corps of officers will promote a greater level of general deterrence against the type of behaviour which leads to road collisions.

Like the Minister and my party leader and Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, it is my firm view that the waiting time for driving tests is too long. I am glad the matter was raised today. The Minister's proposal will see the average waiting time for tests reduced to six weeks. The proposal needs the support of all sides of the House. When the backlog is resolved we will get an improved customer service for test applicants, improved road safety and reduced insurance premia, particularly for young drivers.

I also support the Minister's plans on safety camera usage. Contrary to media comments, safety cameras are not about collecting money. Their sole purpose is to save lives. I welcome that the Garda Síochána will have a general supervisory role in the management of the initiative and will, with the assistance of the National Roads Authority, be responsible for choosing sites for the placement of cameras. The basis on which sites should be selected will relate directly to collision history and known areas of speeding incidence.

Drinking and driving is recognised as one of the most serious contributory factors in road collisions in this and all other countries. Despite the use of a powerful publicity campaign to encourage greater responsibility among drivers and the commitment of the Garda Síochána to tackle the issue, many drivers are still not prepared to change their behaviour. I support the Minister in his actions to deal with this complicated and vital matter.

This leads directly to the issue of mobile phone usage while driving. The time for discussion has ended. It is reckless to drive and hold a phone simultaneously. As the Minister noted, some drivers feel they have more arms than an octopus. He also noted that missing a call will not kill a person, but a traffic accident could. The excuse that we are leading busy lives is difficult to swallow when we consider the lives lost and the families which have been ruined. That is why the Minister has publicly stated he intends to ban driving with a hand-held phone, making it a penalty point offence.

I commend Deputy Olivia Mitchell on bringing this Bill to the House. I wonder why she could not have waited a short period while the broader Government Bill, which will include the matter, is being finalised.

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