Results 1,681-1,700 of 2,569 for speaker:Peter Fitzpatrick

Insurance Costs: Motion [Private Members] (17 May 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to take part in this debate. Dramatically rising insurance costs over recent years have affected almost everybody in this country, whether it be for car insurance, home insurance or business insurance. Last August I spoke on this very topic and raised the very many concerns I had about rising insurance premiums. CSO figures released at that time showed that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Moyagh Murdock and Ms Velma Burns to the meeting. I thank them for their opening submissions and I agree with almost everything they said. My belief is that we should have a zero tolerance approach to drink-driving. We heard some outrageous statements about drink-driving in this committee in recent months. The bottom line is that drink-driving is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: It is really for people listening to the programme this morning. There is no problem repeating it because it is so important. Zero tolerance is the only way. I have been involved in football all my life and I have a family. The morning after is the issue. I have children of my own. People going to work the next day after having a few drinks the night before do not realise they are over...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: That brings me to my next question, which is about young people. Should we introduce a programme in secondary schools? I am a firm believer that prevention is the best cure. I was educated at the young age of 12 in my local school, which is why I became a pioneer at that age. I do not have a problem with alcohol. As I said earlier, I train football teams every month. However, people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: How long is left in the slot?

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (16 May 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: 376. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a rheumatologist appointment in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22810/17]

Ireland and the Negotiations on the UK's Withdrawal from the EU: Statements (Resumed) (10 May 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I very much welcome the opportunity to contribute to this evenings debate on the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. I have spoken on this topic on numerous occasions in this House and at many events in my home county of Louth. My message has been very clear from the start of this whole process. First of all, we must not forget that it was the UK that decided to leave...

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (4 May 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to participate in today's debate. The Diplomatic Relationship (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 amends a number of Acts, namely, the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967, as amended, the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, the Immigration Act 2004 and the Employment Permits Act 2003, as amended. The main purpose of this legislation is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (2 May 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: 1027. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20176/17]

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: I thank the VFI and the LVA for appearing before the committee. My position is clear. I am against all forms of drink-driving and I strongly favour zero tolerance. Losing one life to drink-driving is one too many. I will make no apology for my position. Over the years, we have been too tolerant when it comes to drink-driving. Thankfully, that attitude is changing. I might not always...

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: I stated that in 2016, a total of 8,063 drivers were arrested for intoxicated driving. Of those, 617 were detected between 51 mg to 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, an increase of 50% compared to 2015. That is 617 people who did not lose their licence. I am not trying to be smart. There were 35 people killed between 2008 and 2012. There is 617 people who only got a fine. These 617...

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: I told Mr. Cribben that in 2016-----

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: I told Mr. Cribben that in 2016 8,063 people were arrested for intoxicated driving.

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: Of those, 617 were between 50 mg and 80 mg. That is 617 people who ought to be off the road but who are not.

Brexit: Statements (Resumed) (11 Apr 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this very important subject. There is no doubt that the UK’s decision to leave the European Union will have major consequences for us here in Ireland and also for the rest of the EU. Representing the Border county of Louth, I am aware, more than most people, of the immediate challenges facing us. In recent months I have spoken to many...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the Minister and wish to put on record my support for the Bill. There should be zero tolerance of drinking and driving. I cannot understand how anyone can support the idea that it is okay to drive while having drink, no matter how little drink was taken. It is about time we realised that it is simply not acceptable to take control of a vehicle while under the influence of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Members of the public have asked me to ask the Minister for a timeframe. In fairness the Minister has given me a good enough answer and I am happy with it. In the wake of what happened last week with the Garda, I would like to know whether the breathalyser that is being used in Ireland is used in any other country. I do not want someone to come along and claim that the breathalyser was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Is there a failure rate? When a person blows into the breathalyser, what happens if it shows that the alcohol level is too high?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: It is an indication and when it reaches a certain level, the person is taken back to the Garda station-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (5 Apr 2017)

Peter Fitzpatrick: -----and a doctor is called. Is a urine sample or blood sample taken at that point?