Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Independent Senators, particularly Senator Quinn, on tabling this motion. This is one of the few areas of policy where there is cross-party support and a resolve among politicians to change motorists' attitudes. It is important to debate this issue at regular intervals throughout the parliamentary year to review progress and put other suggestions into the melting pot. The Minister of State listened to the many suggestions made tonight. Some will work and others will not. Therefore, we may have to change our strategy on this issue from time to time. I know the Minister will be flexible in his approach to this as the objective is to reduce the carnage on our roads which is a national disgrace.

I will not go down North Great George's Street in future. The prospect of bashing into Senator Norris at any time is something I could not contemplate. I will stay away from there and divert as the buses do. I agree with Senator Kate Walsh who rightly highlighted one of the great scandals, the alleged joyriders who are the scourge of some urban housing estates. I also agree with Senator Norris and the point he made about young men and driving. There is something abnormal in the relationship between men and cars. I have a 16 month old baby boy and his first words to me were: "beep, beep." He has an obsession with cars. There is something in the psyche of men, in particular young men, with regard to cars.

I live in a large urban housing estate in Dublin. One of the most dangerous sights is that of young men of 16, 17, 18 and 19 years driving their parents' cars at speed with no understanding of the responsibility that comes with this. Most of the accidents that occur in my area are caused by kids who are out of control on the road, a point eloquently made by Senator Kate Walsh and which I welcome.

I am a member of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body which, as Senator Mansergh said, is investigating an all-Ireland approach to penalty points. The Dublin-Belfast road is one of the most dangerous. The reason is Northern drivers can speed and do all kinds of manoeuvres knowing they will never be summonsed. Equally, I suspect Southern drivers who use the road regularly have the same appreciation for it. There should be an all-Ireland penalty points system. If one infringes the road traffic law outside Balbriggan, it should be reflected on one's penalty points in Northern Ireland.