Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Ring for sharing time. The two minutes in which I must say everything that needs to be said about road safety is about as much time as has been spent on the subject over the past ten years.

It is great to see an increase of 75% to €33 million being given to the Road Safety Authority. It will be money well spent although unfortunately two thirds of it will go on administration and wages. I have spoken to the Road Safety Authority about providing driving centres throughout the country. No doubt it would cost another €33 million or €70 million. There are 41 such centres across Europe where people can learn to drive properly.

On Monday I was in Kerry where I learnt about a company that wants to provide a centre, free of charge, and put up a proper circuit. I visited a centre in Oldcastle yesterday where young people of Oldcastle and Kells can go with their parents, day or night, to learn the rules of the road on an off-course track.

These centres exist in Austria, England and Germany. There are 41 top class centres throughout Europe but nothing here. Space, not a theory test, is necessary to learn how to drive. The penalties we impose on young people are not fair if we do not provide them with learning centres.

The centre in Oldcastle is run by someone involved in the car industry. He would love to see every young person brought to a centre for 70 or 100 hours. In America 15 year olds, as part of their curriculum are brought to centres where there are 17 to 20 used cars. The students are brought onto the course and must learn how to drive.

I welcome the €33 million provision for the Road Safety Authority. I have spoken to the authority and it intends providing centres for learning how to drive a motorbike. Unfortunately, this morning I witnessed a horrific motorbike accident, caused by a combination of speed and slippery roads. We must address driver education for young people through local authorities, with help from the Government and the private sector.

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