Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

Recently, a lady from a haulage firm told me that most of those undergoing tests to drive lorries were from car backgrounds and had no practical experience of driving lorries. Given that many haulage firms are going bankrupt because of the Government's inaction on the issue of insurance, many drivers with practical experience of driving lorries would be more than qualified to examine drivers. The Minister should consider employing their services instead of redeploying people with car driving experience.

I accept Senator Henry's remarks on the involvement of lorry drivers in car crashes but the word "involvement" must be looked at. We need to get proper statistics about responsibility in car crashes and it would be useful if the House was notified of them.

Before Christmas the Minister indicated that he would require drivers holding provisional licences to reapply for their licences. In view of the chaos this caused there is a need to employ extra staff in Ballina. I have met many constituents who are obliged to drive provisional licence holders who are afraid to continue driving. The measure was introduced too precipitously. It should have been phased in over a longer time period. There is a need to take on the legal system in an effort to reduce the cost of insurance and stop young people, especially, from being crippled by insurance costs.

In Canada it has been found that many single vehicle crashes are suicides. We must query all statistics. I realise that it is difficult to prove someone has deliberately taken his own life, but this is a factor of which we must be aware.

The Minister's reference to vehicles massively exceeding speed limits could apply to Government Ministers and I hope he will give my point serious consideration.

Reference has been made to speed cameras. In the previous Dáil my colleague, Deputy Naughten, received an answer to a parliamentary question from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform saying that many speed cameras do not contain film. People soon begin to realise these things. The penalty points system is not working as effectively as it should. The Minister of State made reference to enforcement and visibility of the Garda as the keys to safety. The gardaí are not visible and the law is not being enforced.

I can see for myself that people are beginning to be sloppy again in complying with the law. Friends of mine I have spoken to support this observation. As I was driving to Dublin yesterday a lady crossed a double white line to overtake a car coming towards me and a man overtook me on a traffic calming island. Such things were not happening last December when people were afraid of being caught. Now that they do not see a Garda presence and do not know of people being given penalty points they are beginning to take chances again, as we all do. If the penalty point system is to work we must have proper Garda enforcement. The Minister of State has said this himself. I hope he will consider some of the points I have made.