Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Broughan for tabling the amendment, which gives us an opportunity to discuss the issue. I will put my hands up. In the past I was prosecuted twice for using a mobile phone and got my penalty points. Thankfully, I have left that era behind. We all need to be honest with ourselves over things we did in the past that we should not have done. However, I am seriously concerned that I frequently see drivers of lorries, vans and cars using mobile phones. In fairness to gardaí, this is an area about which they really get angry when they find people at this. While there are fines and other penalties, we need to send out a clear message to the public in this regard. Despite the availability of hands-free and Bluetooth, we see many people with phones up to their ears while driving, including having only one hand on the steering wheel while going around a roundabout. It is horrendous.

People rightly say that they cannot go out for a meal with the family without the young ones using the phone. We need to send a very clear message to everybody. As someone who broke the law in the past, I say we cannot be strong enough on this matter. It is really serious.

Like Deputy Lahart, I will be interested to hear the Minister's response. All of our lives are driven by new technology, even in this Chamber. Constituents often say to me, "You were looking at your phone and using your phone." Nearly all Deputies find themselves using their phones because the pace of this life is so hectic at times. It is very important that the use of mobile phones is addressed in the Bill.

I have two children, one now an adult and the other a teenager. In the past when they saw me using a mobile phone in the car, they were horrified. It is good that the younger generation coming up see this as something horrendous that we should not do. Perhaps those younger people, who will start driving in the coming years, will see the clear danger of using a mobile phone. I agree that many adults are still breaking the law in this regard. In that situation we need to be firm and strong. I agree with the proposal on the fine and we also need to do something about disqualification.

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