Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have raised the issue of "L" plates and learner drivers. I have five kids who have full licences.

My wife and I were able to train them. That is the way it works. However, a mother or father cannot always accompany a young driver to work or college. It is fine in Dublin and other cities because people can access public transport, but there is no rural transport service. Therefore, it is not fair or equal and legislation must be fair and equal to all citizens. Young drivers are forced to travel together in one car, which leads to accidents because of brinkmanship and peer pressure. They are buying cars and insuring them before going onto the road. Perhaps they should be subject to a curfew between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., but it is not fair to penalise them. Research indicates that only 6% of accidents are caused by young drivers in cars with "L" plates.

The issue of making vintage vehicles undergo the NCT should also be considered. Such vehicles certainly must not be allowed on the road if they are unsafe, but their engines will not stand up to tests for fumes because they are old. These vehicles are part of our heritage and it is wonderful that they are being preserved. The vintage car associations are very concerned about this issue. Legislation must be practical and, as Deputy Finian McGrath noted, we should not victimise people. I acknowledge that that is not what gardaí do and I salute them for the work they do across the country. However, it is not fair to introduce legislation which requires them to stop motorists for relatively unimportant issues. Then we have people like Lucia O'Farrell, whose son was mowed down by a driver wanted in two jurisdictions for up to 30 crimes.

I salute the Garda for administering the law, but I question the use of vans. I hope somebody will challenge the provision under which the two penalty points are doubled if the fine is not paid and the individual concerned is brought to court. That is a strange provision. If somebody misses the first notice, his or her penalty points will be doubled and a serious fine may be imposed.

I wish the Minister well with the Bill, but I ask him to consider the issues I have raised. They are important for hard-pressed families. Some of these provisions appear to be a cash cow, which is not fair. People need to respect the law, but it also needs to be accepted by them.

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