Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I join with my colleagues in welcoming the Minister to the House to debate this important issue. Road safety has been recognised for many years as being of crucial importance. It is useful that the Minister has identified the difficulty with the Bill and is dealing with it in this way. The Bill, which as Senator Browne said is fairly straightforward, will allow for the implementation of elements of the Road Traffic Act 2002. It will extend to the gardaí power to test people suspected of drink driving.

I compliment the Minister on the speed with which he addressed this difficulty, despite the fact that Opposition members are critical of the fact that it was not noticed at the time. It can happen easily if a Bill is drafted from a specific point of view and it is then discovered that there is a conflict with another aspect of the law. I compliment the Minister and the Department on getting to grips with the problem to ensure the Bill is in place for the vital period around Christmas and that lives are saved.

I compliment Senator Browne on his support for the Bill and for ensuring that it will not be delayed longer than is necessary in the House this evening. Some of his other comments are the type of standard remarks we hear from the Opposition. As they are a bit concerned that the Minister is making too much progress, it is difficult for them to find something to complain about. However, we will get over that.