Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

We could talk about that at length, as Senator Phelan well knows. The penalty points system has only been in operation for a short time, yet the results speak for themselves. I hope people will work with it. In the coming months we can examine some of the enforcement issues that will undoubtedly arise. I travel from Clare to Dublin every week, using the main Limerick to Dublin road, and while I have not incurred a speeding fine recently, I have taken a decision to slow down considerably. I have seen many drivers being pulled on that main road and I am happy with the level of enforcement taking place. There has been a marked decrease in the speed of vehicles, even to the extent that when one is driving at the permitted limit one tends to overtake other vehicles.

Senator Ryan says he has been doing a lot of driving recently. Therefore, he may not have been paying attention to his mail. I understand there are quite a few hidden Garda vehicles in operation and the first one may learn of having committed a speeding offence is when one opens the post to discover a fine notice. Senator Ryan should check the brown envelopes that he has not opened since Christmas.