John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The families are not so much acting out of grief for those whom they have lost as making practical and common-sense proposals. Despite the reduction in the number of alcohol related fatal collisions, drink driving remains one of the biggest killers on the roads. Between 1990 and 2006, a total of 7,078 deaths occurred, of which a staggering 2,462, or 35%, were alcohol related. Behind each of these statistics is a broken hearted family who will never get over the tragedy completely. Irish law is inferior to that in other countries where penalties reflect the enormity of the offence. Successive Governments should be ashamed of a system in which criminals serve longer sentences for non-fatal offences than for killing someone through drink driving. The time for change is long overdue and I appeal to the Minister to consider this law. I am grateful to him for agreeing to meet the families. Perhaps when he hears what they have to say, he might consider amending the legislation at some time in the next few months or before the end of this Dáil.

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