Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

We heard during the week about changes in the penalty points system for motorists using mobile phones, which is welcome. We have been successful in highlighting the drink driving problem, but we are totally ignoring driving by people under the influence of drugs. I am aware that the UK is introducing "drugaliser" tests next year. Startling statistics indicate that 15% of fatal car crashes in the UK are due to alcohol related incidents, while 25% of fatalities involve illegal drugs. If one includes legally prescribed drugs, the figure is higher. It is time we had a debate about what steps the Government intends to take in respect of people driving under the influence of drugs. Drugs impair one's ability to drive and to analyse situations.

I welcome the recent announcement that 100,000 people have been removed from the electoral register in Northern Ireland due to duplicate voting. It proves that we have to be very careful about people having the right to vote, but also people abusing the system. The PPS number, that we all have, should be used as a way of safeguarding the right to vote, but also erasing any possibility of duplication or people exploiting the system. We should consider that suggestion. We are moving towards electronic voting so it should be possible to put that system in place.

I disagree totally with Senator Jim Walsh about the gentleman who is threatened with jail even though he is old. The law applies to everybody. Circumstances can be changed depending on one's age, but nobody—