Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I welcome the Minister to the House. We were looking forward to seeing him. It is impressive when legislation is introduced which anticipates a difficulty of a technical breach of the law. Irrespective of what criticisms people may have of the legislation, it is a tribute to his Department that this has been identified and is being dealt with now. There is nothing as sickening and as annoying as to see legislation which has been found wanting and we all have to take responsibility for that. I am happy to support the Bill and certainly will not delay its passage. However, I wish to make a few brief points.

The Road Traffic Act 1994 was unusual in that it was introduced by the party of which the Minister is a member and opposed strenuously by the Opposition, as opposed to the Independent benches. The Government changed and the Opposition moved to that side and suddenly was in support of the Bill and the party of which the Minister is a member was on this side and opposed the Bill. It was an exercise in cynicism. Representatives of both sides reversed positions after the election.