Results 8,041-8,060 of 15,510 for speaker:Brendan Griffin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Joint Committee (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: I propose we go into private session to deal with some housekeeping matters.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: I welcome everyone to today's meeting to discuss the general scheme of the road traffic (fixed penalty - drink driving) Bill 2017. Last week we heard from the Minister, Deputy Ross, who introduced his Department's thinking on the proposed legislation. We have also had meetings on the Bill with the Road Safety Authority, which also wrote to the committee on the matter, An Garda...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: Deputy Fitzpatrick, with respect-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: Deputy Fitzpatrick.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: Deputy Fitzpatrick allow the witness to respond. I want to clarify for the committee that we went through the figures last week. Some 617 received fixed-penalty notices for 2016, and 501 in 2015. A figure of 758 was thrown into the mix somewhere along the line and a figure of 50%. I think it was a 23% increase, and it was 501 to 617. This is for the record as there was some confusion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: The two Fine Gael Senators have had to leave for a vote and I want to accommodate them when they return, so I will move on to the Fianna Fáil grouping.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: Before we proceed further, I ask everybody in the room to ensure his or her mobile phone is switched off because it causes interference with the broadcasting equipment and may prevent further broadcasting of this discussion in the media.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: There were a few minutes left over in the Fine Gael slot. Senators Feighan and O'Mahony had to leave for a Seanad vote. Senator O'Mahony is currently chairing proceedings in the Upper House. There are a few minutes left for Senator Feighan who has returned.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: If I may correct the Deputy, there were 35 fatalities in the reference period from 2008 to 2012, and for a blood alcohol level under 80 mg, which also includes the 21 to 50 mg range.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: Does the Deputy refer to offences or accidents?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: I thank Mr. Cribben. Something that has been missed in the debate on young people is that the goalposts have shifted for a lot of young drivers in that since October 2010, novice drivers, learner drivers and professional drivers have a limit of 20 mg compared with 50 mg for other drivers. Prior to that the limit was far higher and the lower limit must be factored into the debate as well. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: We had much discussion here last week and we are waiting for a breakdown of the figures. It is easy to go off on a tangent about other issues but this pre-legislative scrutiny is in respect of the changes to the penalties applying to drivers registering between 51 mg and 80 mg of alcohol in blood. Since the change in October 2010 relating to drivers responsible for accidents who had such...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: Is the information out there about the amount of time it takes for a unit of alcohol to leave one's system misleading in some cases?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: In terms of practical action from vintners, I accept that 20 years ago, licensed vintners accounted for a larger percentage of the alcohol sold in the country. I know things have changed hugely. At the same time, they still have a significant portion of the alcohol sales taking place. What can be done practically in bars to try to discourage drink-driving? I am not sure I have seen any...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: It could be a rough guide.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: There is an issue related to insurance. An initiative in my locality last year was a "cars for bars" scheme, where we got 20 volunteers to sign up and make themselves available one night per month to bring people not just to local pubs but also to any other social events. It was particularly aimed at older people but also at others. It was more of a measure to combat rural isolation than...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: That is mind-boggling. One of the key measures that can be taken in being proactive in road safety is to ensure people can get home safely from the pub.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: If a proprietor does it informally, it is okay, but if he or she tries to be upfront and say there is a specific vehicle to carry people home from the pub, the premium would be much higher.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: The same vehicle registration and motor tax must be paid.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Griffin: The only break is a rebate on the diesel or it can be put up against expenses.