Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and compliment Senator Quinn and Independent Senators on tabling this excellent motion. Sometimes when views are expressed from different sides, there may be point-scoring but on this issue Members on all sides have made very good points genuinely and sincerely. I hope they will be taken on board.

We must compliment the large number of motorists who obey the law and the Garda on its work. No one likes to be stopped by a garda but if we break the law, we must put up with the consequences. I drive a lot and see gardaí operating speed cameras at many locations. They are doing an excellent job. Senator Quinn made the point that gardaí who may be reaching retirement age or have finished their service and are still quite young should be given the opportunity to do that type of duty. The Minister of State mentioned it, on which I compliment him. It would help to alleviate shortages in the Garda force.

Senator Kate Walsh mentioned joyriders who present a major problem, not only in city areas. The point has been made that they are driving their parents' cars at speed, showing off. This poses great risk to young people and members of the public in general. This issue is being tackled and I compliment members of the Garda Síochána who put their lives in danger – some of them have lost their lives – trying to ensure everyone's safety.

I congratulate the Minister, the Government and the officials concerned on the new laws, which I have no doubt have meant savings in accident and emergency units in hospitals, particularly at weekends. As a member of a health board, I have been informed that this is already evident. However, we must continue to publicise the situation in regard to speeding and the penalty points system because in recent weeks, particularly since Christmas, the problem of speeding seems to be re-emerging. For the first few weeks, if one drove at 60 mph one would not be overtaken. However, a number of people are now taking chances by passing lines of traffic. This was not happening up to a few weeks ago. We must continue to highlight the penalty points system because people are more careful.

As Senator Dooley said, some people who thought they were being smart by speeding in certain areas received a rude awakening when they were notified by post that they had been awarded penalty points. These people will not feel their points adding up. Senator Brian Hayes referred to rush hour and weekends, when a great number of people at times drive fast and in a reckless manner. Perhaps a doubling of the penalty points attaching to certain offences could be considered to ensure people obey the law at weekends, including bank holiday weekends.