Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

If the arrangement is agreeable to Deputy Tom Hayes, I will share this 20 minute time slot with him and have 10 minutes each.

In welcoming the opportunity to contribute to this Bill, I recognise the tenacity of the Minister in the efforts he has made to bring this Bill before the House. He has certainly fought a battle at his own end and I recognise his efforts. He and I remonstrated through the early stages of this Bill internally about aspects of it. While I might not have agreed with certain elements of it, I recognise his bona fides in that regard and the tremendous tenacity he has brought to bear in ensuring that this Bill passes through this House.

It must be recognised that the approach by the Road Safety Authority, the Government and all sensible politicians has led to a dramatic improvement in our road safety. There are a number of factors involved, policy is one of them, policy in a number of areas not only on road safety but on the improvement of road surfaces and the quality of our roads. Another factor is the sensible approach that has been taken by many motorists and people within the education sector who have sought to bring about a change in culture in terms of what is acceptable and what is not. We have done that in regard to drink-driving. We still need to do that in regard to driving at speed. I have some issues on that, which I addressed recently.

It is clearly vital that we continue with that process of education and of culture change. The younger cohort in society are no longer prepared to drink and drive as young people did in the past. They are much more focused on ensuring there is a designated driver, that they use public transport or the service of a taxi or others. That is the way forward.

In recognising the huge achievements that have been made, we must be careful in terms of adhering to a belief that we could not fall back or return to the bad old days. While the improvements in the reduction in the number of road deaths have been brought about by good policy and a determined approach to highlight the issue, we should recognise that fewer people are consuming alcohol and there is less activity in the economy because of the recession. The reduction in the number of people killed on our roads is in some way attributable to the recession. Therefore, we should not allow ourselves to fall into a false sense of security and belief that we now have a model that is wholesome and ensures that we will continue on the downward spiral in terms of the reduction in the number of road deaths. We will have to continue to check that. I agree with what Deputy Doyle said that we will need to address this issue at a later stage. It must be addressed on an ongoing basis. It is no different from anything else in life - if one allows something to go off the agenda, one tends to become complacent.

I must compliment RTE on the approach it has taken to the reporting of deaths on our roads. During our more difficult years it introduced a news segment at the end of each month, which Charlie Bird was responsible for reporting prior to his departure to the United States. Now that he is returning, that segment might be reintroduced. It was a rolling report lasting a few minutes that identified individuals who had died on our roads, their family circumstances, age and personal details. It was a shocking portrayal of road deaths at the end of each month. This segment was reported at a time when 30 to 32 people were being killed on our roads. It was a striking image. It certainly had an impact on me as I am sure it had on many other people. It is that type of continuous identification of the scourge of death on our roads that helps to change the culture, to remind people of the scourge it is and helps to ensure that all our behaviour is altered and improved in a way that continues to work towards the reduction of death on our roads.

Deputy Doyle raised an issue, which motivated me in my opposition to some elements of the Bill, particularly the reduction of the blood alcohol level from 80 mg to 50 mg. The Minister's mitigation that a first offence would be addressed through the fixed penalty was a good compromise and I recognise and welcome his move in that regard.

The isolation debate in rural Ireland in vitally important. For an individual living alone in a rural area, having a few pints is a very important part of his or her life.

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