Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I accept this but I am discussing speeding. Why did the number of fines last year drop to half the total for 2001? There is a correlation between that and the rising fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. This imbalance must be examined in conjunction with the Garda Síochána and there must be some measurement of Garda activity in this regard.

Surely we have learned the lesson that changing the law will not suffice. Curtailing mobile phone use requires a properly resourced, adequately trained and committed Garda force driven by the philosophy that enforcement saves lives. For too long the political and policing culture of this State has placed popularity above resolute law enforcement. It is time these priorities changed.

While we must encourage drivers to respect the law, there is little provision for lay-bys on our national routes. Such stopping points are standard across the United Kingdom, a country that is increasingly taking road safety seriously. The Minister should request the National Roads Authority to produce proposals and costings for additional lay-bys and appropriate signage so that motorists can stop when they need to use their phone. I cannot understand the policy pursued by the NRA which does not make provision for service stations along motorways.

See this speech in context