Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 5, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:

4.—(1) As and from the commencement of section 3, a person who drives or attempts to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place where any of the windscreens or windows to the front or either side of the driver's seat are non-transparent is guilty of an offence.

(2) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine of €5000.

We discussed this matter at some length. This amendment relates to tinted windscreens and side windows on vehicles and the fact that it would be impossible to enforce the new law in respect of hand-held mobile phones if one cannot see the driver. That is the main reason we need to move to outlaw tinted windows. I suspect there are other reasons. It should be possible for the Garda or anybody else to see who is driving the car. On Committee Stage the Minister said he would look at standards and move towards change on a Europe-wide basis. That type of approach is like the retrofitting of cyclops mirrors. If we wait for the rest of Europe to do it, we will be waiting forever. This is an area where the Minister could lead the way. He can certainly introduce these changes in respect of cars in this country and, if issues arise in regard to foreign registered cars, they can be dealt with. The majority of those driving vehicles with tinted windows are Irish and could be dealt with if a change in the law were introduced. I ask the Minister to reconsider that issue.

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