Seanad debates

Wednesday, 14 May 2003

I agree with the Senators who warned against complacency. It will take the combined efforts of the Government, the Garda, the insurance industry and motorists to ensure the start of a good project does not fade away because of complacency. There is no doubt that the penalty points system has saved lives. It has resulted in a reduction of one third in the number of road deaths, substantially reduced injuries, lower health bills and hospital costs and a lot less personal tragedy. I would like to be here this time next year to say the second six months were as good as the first six. However, I share the concerns expressed by Senators. The system has delivered substantial results and can do so again provided there is full enforcement and 100% attention from everyone charged with making it work. While I appreciate the efforts of the rank and file gardaĆ­ who have worked hard on the project in recent months, I encourage and urge them to keep the pressure on and keep up the level of enforcement to which they have committed themselves. It would be a tragedy, not for me politically as I have overcome many such difficulties from time to time, but for the people in terms of the sadness they would feel if the system did not have a second six months as good as the first six.

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