Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I also welcome the Minister's officials. I congratulate Senator Quinn and his colleagues on the Independent benches for proposing this very worthy and well-timed motion. It is worth debating sensibly.

I welcome the initiatives brought forward by the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan. The introduction of the penalty points system has brought a revolution in the thought processes of all motorists. Surveys carried out since the introduction of penalty points for speeding show a 72% reduction in the numbers exceeding the speed limit. When one considers that almost 350,000 on the spot fines were issued by gardaí for excessive speeding last year, this reduction is hugely significant.