Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I wish to contribute briefly to the debate. If I had more time I would have made a number of points on the issue.

It is important that we have these opportunities. I know some controversial comments have been made already in this debate and will be said again but it is right that Private Members' time is used to debate day-to-day issues of concern to our communities, and road safety is an issue people are beginning to take seriously.

The Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, is taking a particular interest in this matter, despite what was said on the opposite side of the House, although I was glad to hear some kind comments from the Labour Party benches about his work. We all have an interest, as legislators, in dealing with the issues that are of concern. Like everybody else, I have different views. I often wonder why gardaí hide behind lamp posts on good roads. I know the road safety representatives do not like us saying that, and perhaps it is a controversial remark, but I wonder if these issues could be dealt with in a different way.

It is important also that we re-examine, as I am aware the Minister is doing, the methods for testing drivers. My constituency in Tallaght had a first class centre but difficulties arose with regard to accommodation. It should be made as easy as possible for people to take tests. It was brought to my attention recently that a person living near the Wicklow border wanted to do the test locally because it would be better to use the local roads. However, the individual was sent to Naas for the test. I wonder about the logic of that.

I do not want to be radical from the Fianna Fáil benches but we all talk about the problems of trying to get information from various bodies, and the Road Safety Authority is no exception. I often contact the Department to try to get details on issues and I am referred to the Road Safety Authority. We must have some joined-up thinking regarding the way public representatives can access information.

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