Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I should like to present a summary of the amendments made by Dáil Éireann to this Bill which was initiated in this House in February 2002. In doing so I propose to concentrate on the amendments which I consider to be of most importance. If there are any points of detail not addressed in this opening contribution, I will be glad to facilitate Senators who raise any of these during the debate in my closing contribution should time permit.

The carrier liability provision at sections 2 and 3 of the Bill has been refined to facilitate the payment of the fixed penalties which carriers may pay in order to avoid court proceedings for contravention of section 2 at places other than Garda stations. This change, brought about by amendments Nos. 2 to 5 in the list, has an analogue in road traffic legislation enacted since 1994.