Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I also thank the Minister for his response. I understand the reason Deputy Dooley tried to increase the penalty in his amendments is a central part of the Bill. A terrible crash may occur in which somebody loses his or her life and it will be very difficult to establish the cause or who is responsible if the penalties are low. However, I accept the Minister has taken the Attorney General's advice in that regard.

I wish to ask the Minister about the policy on these matters, the comments he made about unconscious drivers and policy formation in the Department. There are some officials present and I welcome their diligence in pursuing these matters in the previous road traffic legislation and this Bill. Is it the case that the Road Safety Authority only receives detailed reports from the Garda Síochána three to five years after events have taken place? My understanding is that the Department of Transport only knows now what happened in road traffic collisions between 2005 and 2007, inclusive, and that we will have to wait a few years to find out what happened in 2009 and 2010. Is there a legal reason data cannot be given to the agency which has performed very well and has had a considerable role in reducing the number of appalling casualties on the roads within a relatively short period? In other words, can it receive data on what happened in 2010 now and, therefore, give the Minister advice on policy formation in drafting the next Bill to ensure better road safety measures?

See this speech in context