Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Go raibh maith agat as ucht an deis seo labhairt ar an ábhar rí-thábhachtach seo. Tacaím leis an mhéid atá i rún Fhine Gael. Is trua go raibh ar an Rialtas leasú a chur leis, mar ní dóigh liom go raibh aon rud conspóideach ann. Ba chóir go mbeadh muid in ann aontú ar ábhar chomh tábhachtach ag an am seo den bhliain. Ní raibh an rún, mar a leagadh amach é, ag caitheamh anuas ar an Rialtas, ach ag tabhairt tacaíocht dóibh siúd atá ag déanamh iarracht na bóithre a dhéanamh níos sláine do thiománaithe agus lucht úsáide na mbóithre.

The motion before us was obviously triggered by the Road Traffic Act 2002, which is the legislative basis for penalty points. Since we have already amended and increased the number of offences for which penalty points should be awarded to drivers from five to 31, it is appropriate for us to consider how the system is fully implemented. If teething problems exist, as identified in the Fine Gael motion, including the provision that drivers voluntarily surrender their licences, we need to address them. We need to tighten up the legislation to ensure that it properly reflects the desire of the legislators when they introduced the legislation in the first place.

The motion is not a criticism of the Government. It is a practical step that should have been embraced and taken on board by the Government rather than amended. We welcome the downward trend in road deaths as mentioned in the Government amendment. We agree that the sustained implementation of road safety measures such as those listed in the amendment are welcome. They need to be rolled out and fully supported to ensure that fewer families lose loved ones following tragic road accidents.

Penalty points in themselves are not deterrents. It is a combination of mechanisms that we have produced so far. There are issues we need to address. Some people are driving without valid driving licences, in some cases through no fault of their own. My father only noticed his ten-year driving licence was expired by two weeks when he was stopped on the road. The system should allow for a reminder notice to be posted out by the local authority when a ten-year driving licence is due for renewal. It would be worth the cost of the 55 cent stamp. God forbid, if my father had been involved in an accident on that occasion, he would not have been covered by insurance. It would have been a tragic outcome because he did not knowingly drive without a valid licence. A simple reminder would be a help.

I made the point recently in the House when we were dealing with issues to do with road traffic that there should be mandatory drug testing along with the mandatory alcohol testing in the case of road traffic accidents resulting in serious injuries. Given the number of people who have died in recent times as a result of cocaine and given the extent of the drug problem, it would be appropriate to consider testing. I refer in particular to the effects of cocaine use whereby those who have taken it believe they are invincible. They become more aggressive and drive faster. We must ensure this element of testing is rolled out if at all possible.

I hope the Minister and the Government will achieve their stated aim of reducing the waiting time for driving tests. For too long, people blamed the numbers of learner drivers as being the cause of accidents. I was not one of those who believed that it was just down to those who had not passed the test. Many accidents were caused by people who had passed the test and who were cocky or confident in their driving and who exceeded the speed limit. As the previous speaker said, speed, speed and speed is the cause of many of the tragic deaths and severe injuries resulting from car accidents.

Other issues need to be addressed. There are two jurisdictions on this island and we need greater harmonisation of speed limits and penalty points. A system is required to allow penalty points to be applied to drivers from outside the State. Drivers from the Six Counties who incur penalty points should suffer the same consequences as drivers here and vice versa. There should be an all-Ireland approach to this issue and an all-Ireland licensing system to ensure the same licence and same grading of vehicles. These are practical steps which can be taken in the two jurisdictions by means of the British-Irish Ministerial Council which has resumed its meetings. Mutual recognition of penalty points could be fast-tracked as there is agreement between all parties on the island that road safety is paramount.

It is currently an offence to drive on or across cycle tracks and penalty points can be applied. However, it is not an offence to park on a cycle track and this is not liable to penalty points. This is dangerous for a cyclist who may turn a corner and find a stationary car in the way.

Penalty points are currently applied to a driver who exceeds the speed limit by one or two kilometres. However, a driver who exceeds the limit by 30 km or 40 km incurs the same penalty points. I suggest a graded system of penalty points with additional points for those who are well over the speed limit. I have noted drivers who are well over the limit but they will be penalised the same as somebody who has exceeded the limit by one or two kilometres.

Tacaím leis an rún agus tá súil agam go mbeidh an Rialtas sásta an leasú seo a tharraingt siar agus déanamh cinnte go ndéanfar beart de réir briathar an rún atá os ár gcomhair.

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