Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have questions on a number of matters and I have sought the answers since before Christmas. I have not got answers to some of them, although I accept the Minister has addressed others.

With respect to waiting times for driving tests, the worst wait in Ireland is in Cork, which is 17.4 weeks. How can the Minister consider in any way, shape or form that this part of the Bill was rural-proofed? It is misleading the Dáil. There are young people in County Cork waiting 17.4 weeks for a test, which is an outrageous length. Why has the Minister not tackled that matter, which would be part of the process of rural-proofing the Bill? He should tackle this before the Bill becomes law and he has failed to do it so far. Will the Minister tell us why he has not tackled this? The question is in his lap as the people of Cork are waiting for a driving test for 17.4 weeks.

Has the Government started to educate younger people through the school system? It is very important and the matter has been raised by others. We must start at the roots and get to young people. It would be an absolute joy for them to learn how to drive. There are places like the Bantry Driving Academy, which is a fabulous place where young people can learn to drive. Have there been efforts to ensure such learning can occur?

I asked the next question at a very early stage. The Minister said he is delighted certain people have been appointed to the board of the RSA, which is an important point. How were they appointed and what input does the Minister have in the process? The Minister said those people should be on the board but there are others who have lost people in road traffic accidents who perhaps should be appointed to the board of the RSA as well. They would have input into the conditions of our roads, which are appalling in most cases, falling trees and other factors that lead to loss of life.

The next issue might move slightly away from the amendment. There are Irish people who have returned from America who despite having a full licence there must do a theory test and learn how to drive in Ireland. Has the Minister addressed this and the matter of young people abroad who are now coming home? Licences which were valid in places like Australia are not considered valid here.

This Bill will have a very damaging effect in rural Ireland but how has the Minister addressed this for young people? With the drink-driving aspect of the Bill, the Minister at least made a poor attempt to set up a rural transport service. There are young people who will not be able to go to work in the morning or come home in the evening, which are basic journeys. How has the Minister addressed this when he "rural-proofed" the Bill? If he has a solution, it would be proof that the Minister is making an effort. People living in rural areas have little or no bus service so does the Minister intend to set up bus services to take young people to work or college in the morning and bring them home in the evening? Will the Minister answer that question?

Is it the Minister's intention with this Bill to jail parents who allow young people to drive cars unaccompanied by qualified drivers? I am trying to go through my questions as fast as I can. The Minister addressed the speed limiter a while ago but why has he not gone down that road with young people? Perhaps there could be an overnight curfew for them. It might ease in this process rather than land these people in a difficult position, basically putting young people off the road, making life much more difficult. This will affect people in rural Ireland as well as urban areas.

Does the Minister accept the lack of funding for roads has been a cause of death? I have mentioned roads west of Ross Carbery, in Sparrograda and Ballydehob: there is a list a mile long with roads that are in an appalling condition. Does the Minister accept that falling trees have been a cause of death and what has he done to alleviate the problem? These are just some questions and I would greatly appreciate him answering them. Will he ask the councils for a realistic estimate of costs to put the roads right, as the condition of our roads are leading to most road deaths? Nobody is speaking about that, least of all the Minister, and they should be doing so. The Minister has said it is the business of local authorities to cut road verges etc. I accept that they are in charge to a point, but the Minister must provide the funding.

There is no point in the Minister sarcastically saying to us it is a matter for the local authority and that he is washing his hands of it. We are talking about all the billions being spent by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

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