Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies for their support and the recognition of the issues in the Bill. To be fair to the parliamentary counsel staff, they work, like us in many respects, under enormous pressure and, unfortunately, a typographical error caused this issue. The secondary issue, which has become familiar in recent times, that of secondary legislation versus primary legislation, is one with which we collectively need to grapple. As a result, as I stated in response to Deputy Olivia Mitchell, we are looking at the entire spectrum to ensure that there is nothing else we are missing vis-À-vis statutory instruments and implementation of EU law under directives, and to correct any issues there.

I also welcome the fact that the Bill introduces two policy initiatives. The issue of nurses being facilitators in taking a blood or urine sample in a Garda station is a good one. I have always taken the view that there is no legislation in any area passed in this Houses on which we cannot improve in the future and I have no issue with taking opportunities when they arise to do so. The House is of the same view and we are doing that here today to enhance and strengthen the legislation.

A clear message coming from the House, with which I agree, is that it has worked hard collectively to bring in tough, clear legislation. We need enforcement on the other side to ensure it is driven home — no pun intended — and that is happening. We need to maintain this level of enforcement through the expansion and visibility of the traffic corps and the recognition by all that while there is a collective approach to road safety, much of it comes down to personal understanding. People's habits, approach and attitude are changing and that is a good development which we need to reinforce. Equally, many elements within the media have helped to reinforce the message of collective responsibility, and we must understand that we have a responsibility, not alone to ourselves but to all road users.

I happened to see one of the more powerful messages the other evening, the piece with Charlie Bird on "Six One News" at the end of the month, which has been a feature in recent times. It gives a positive message and helps to remind us of road safety. It does not matter what the age of a person killed — obviously, when people are killed it is tragic — but when persons of 17 and 21 years of age are killed, people starting out in life, it is traumatic.

See this speech in context