Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

Like my colleague, I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. Obviously, we are discussing lowering the limits and endorsing the mandatory testing system at accidents involving injuries. I especially welcome the provisions in the Bill for dealing differently with young people. Driving is already a difficult part of growing up and life.

It is something we all must learn and gain experience in. It is already difficult enough without introducing the scourge of alcohol into the mix. Perhaps this is the first step in how we, as a society, address the issue of alcohol consumption among young people. We have seen a significant change in how people, in particular young people, engage in alcohol consumption. There has been a move away from beverages with a lower alcohol content such as beers to those with a higher alcohol content such as spirits. As a society, it is time we engaged in a debate on how people of a relatively young age - those aged 18 years to those in their early 20s - are able to purchase and consume spirits and alcopops without any limits. We are effectively introducing a zero alcohol limit for drivers. Perhaps our society will now be willing to engage in a debate on introducing people to alcohol which can be consumed in an enjoyable and a responsible fashion at a slower pace. Many people drive for a living, while many others spend many hours behind the wheel, particularly in driving young people and or in public service vehicles. The limit for such drivers should be reduced to zero.

We must acknowledge that there has been significant societal and cross-party support for many of the measures introduced. The Minister noted that in 1972 there was the extraordinary number of 640 road deaths, while last year there were 212. It is difficult to celebrate the reduction to 212, but in 2010 more than 400 people were alive than there would have been in 1972. When one multiplies this figure, it shows there has been a significant improvement.

Society can engage in many ways to prevent deaths and the Government has a big role to play in that regard. The ending of the Troubles resulted in a reduced number of unwanted deaths in the North and this country. Maximising the effectiveness of the health servic, as well as social, education and justice and policing services, has helped to reduce the numbers of drug deaths, murders and so on. The two main issues in which society is most engaged are deaths by suicide and road deaths, an entirely preventable scourge. There are two ways to reduce them. What must run in parallel with legislation is training in schools, as well as further improvements in education in the driving test system. I compliment the work recently done by the Road Safety Authority. At the recent National Ploughing Championships yellow high visibility vests were given out at many stalls. I encourage schools and teachers to engage with young people as the days get shorter. My children frequently have their lunch boxes checked to ensure they do not have crisps and other unwanted and unhealthy foods in them. Teachers could ensure every child has a yellow high visibility vest or an armband when he or she comes to school because they unquestionably work.

There is no doubt the issues being addressed and the new levels being provided for by the Minister will discommode people but so too did the wearing of seats belts, the penalty points system, the camera network and many other measures. They caused them minor difficulties and inconvenience. However, we must focus on the fact that gardaí have called to many thousands of families at night to bring them the bad news of the loss of life as a result of alcohol consumption. These measures will deny them that experience and this is the reason the legislation is being brought forward. I compliment those responsible on the great progress that has been made in this regard. We must continue to try to reduce the number of people who die on the roads.

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