Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is wrong that there should be such a huge disparity. Those counties are the two extremes, with most counties in between. If it is mandatory that someone gets penalty points for speeding or other offences, it is wrong that the poor box is used by a judge when he or she is not allowed to do so. I ask the Minister that when the next case comes to his attention, it is appealed to the High Court and it should be overturned. That would be an example of immediate action by the Minister to ensure that the law applies fairly and universally to everybody. It is very important that we increase public confidence in our judicial system and in our courts system. I welcome that under the Judicial Council Bill there can be informal or formal inquiries and that not only judges but also lay people will sit on them.

The issue around drunk driving is exceptionally clear. I understand the feelings of people in rural areas and the initiative that hopefully the Government will take regarding Rural Link, but ultimately when one sits behind the wheel of one's car, one has to be able to say that one does not have alcohol in one's system, which is a good and positive thing, but one also wants to make sure that the person coming towards the car from the other direction does not have alcohol on him or her either. The only way of ensuring that is by a strict legislative code, which is there. It has been proven that the number of road deaths is falling as a result of our activity against drunken driving. It is good, proper and right that this legislation passes. Anyone can have an accident but I would hate to think that I would be responsible for someone being injured by my car if I had drink on me, even if it was only one drink. I would find it very hard to forgive myself, if I had a choice to drink or not to drink, or to drive or not to drive. The only message we should give is that one cannot drink and drive. Even a small amount of alcohol does affect people according to research conducted in Ireland and internationally. For safer, better, more effective driving, we must do this.

I am also very concerned that our roads are fit for purpose. I would be concerned if there was any reduction in the moneys made available for the improvement of road junctions and road maintenance. Our secondary roads and small rural roads need much more attention than they often receive. Sadly, we have too many dangerous corners and junctions which continue to cause problems with accidents and sometimes deaths. We must have policies not only regarding the levels of alcohol when driving but also of improving road safety and increasing investment in our rural road network. I constantly receive complaints in my county regarding jobs that need to be done. The council will say it does not have the money and is unable to do it.

I support this legislation. The Minister is acting wisely.

The Road Safety Authority has done its work well. It acts impartially and the research it produces does not just apply in Ireland - it has a universal application.

I acknowledge that this legislation causes difficulties for some people but the efforts to improve public transport links, particularly in remote rural areas, are very welcome. Fewer people will die on our roads this year and saving lives is the only game in town - everything else is secondary to that.

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