Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 4, line 6, after "to" to insert "promote driving with due care and attention or to".

I have no idea why amendments Nos. 5 and 6 are grouped together, as they deal with different matters. The purpose of amendment No. 5 is to direct the Minister to promote positively good, careful and attentive driving. The vague language in the Bill talks about "interfering with driver capacity". The Minister takes a more positive approach to the matter and the language used in the Bill should reflect that. Amendment No. 6 seeks the inclusion of a new paragraph as follows:

(e) any other equipment, apparatus, thing or activity which may impair or interfere with the driving capacity or capabilities of such a driver.

to leave an opening for the Minister to deal with developments in technology which are taking place at a fast rate. This would allow the Minister to ban or deal with new devices or apparatus that may come on stream without the need to resort to primary legislation. That would be a sensible approach which would widen the Minister's powers and enable him to keep up to date with various in-car technologies. I hope he can support it.

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