Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I thank everybody who contributed to the debate as there were many constructive comments from all sides. I welcome all of them.

The key point in this Fine Gael motion, which the Government does not appear to accept and has failed to acknowledge, is our call on the Government to bring forward legislation as a matter of urgency to reform the penalty points system to ensure all fixed charge penalties are collected and enforced, and to reform the system that requires legally disqualified drivers to surrender their licences by giving the Garda responsibility for collection of them.

In the first six months of the year, 88,371 summonses were issued after the 56-day period had expired for people who incurred penalty points and did not pay the fine. Some 43,700 of those summonses were not served, meaning those people who incurred penalty points, did not pay the fine, did not get the summons and did not go to court. The system is in serious disrepute. Of the total number of cases issued, only 14,000, about 16%, ended up getting a fine. That is not acceptable.

There are other figures which should be brought to the Government's attention. There are 100,000 uninsured drivers on our roads, as estimated by the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland. It is acknowledged by that body that such drivers cause over 2,000 injuries per annum and at least 20 deaths. They are responsible for approximately €45 on every car insurance policy per annum, so it is a very serious issue.

Another important figure should be raised. There are 126,000 people who have been given penalty points but they cannot be applied because these people have no licence. It is estimated that a significant number of them, some 108,000, are from out of State but the balance are here in Ireland.

It is often the same people who have no licence and no insurance. A significant number of people caught driving while talking on mobile phones are in the same category. There is a job to be done that has not been delivered by this Government, which has instead put its head in the sand. As others have stated, it is loading praise on itself rather than facing the truth.

Gay Byrne has served this country well in the past and is serving it well as chairman of the Road Safety Authority. That body is doing its job very well but there are critical issues ahead.

A significant point came out in a committee meeting today. Of all the carriers, such as buses, in this country, some 20% are not licensed, which is a serious matter. The Government should attack such issues. We will give credit for what has been done but the Government should not indicate it cannot accept our legislative proposals. We will put the matter to a vote because the Government does not acknowledge the reality. The Courts Service has stated the District Court system is grinding to a halt because it cannot deal with the summonses for penalty points coming before it. It needs urgent reform. If the Government keeps its head in the sand, the problem will get much worse.

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