Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I do not disagree with much of what the Deputies said because it is already included in the Bill. However, while there appears to be a different approach on how to frame the Bill, we all know what we are talking about. The function of the road safety authority has been made abundantly clear. The reason the programmes have been included is that I was strongly advised by the experts that strategy was too narrow a focus. Because I tried to meet the requirements and change to a much broader interpretation of programmes, I am being criticised for being too broad based.

I had a breakfast meeting with the chairman this morning. He knows the current strategy will end at the end of this year and that a new strategy must be in place as part of a much bigger programme for next year.

See this speech in context