Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I have often raised the issue of road deaths and the need for debate on the issue. I have used my Private Members' time to do that. My attention was drawn on those occasions to the statement by the National Safety Council that the main causes of road deaths are speed, the failure to use seat belts, and alcohol. It is worth reading The Irish Times today to hear of another cause, namely frustration. I did not realise that while the National Roads Authority has built many good roads it has not followed practice in other countries. The autostradas in Italy have existed for 70 or 80 years as have Germany's autobahns. We have built very effective motorways in Ireland, of which we are proud, but there are no service stations, toilets or lay-bys on them. One can travel from Cork or Limerick to Belfast, and until one crosses the Border into Northern Ireland one cannot stop on the motorway for petrol, to go to the toilet or to get a cup of coffee. I did not realise that so I draw attention to the article in The Irish Times today by Kevin Myers.

Our road system seems to be badly designed and badly though out. Let us ensure that in attempting to debate road deaths, we take note that we can do something about them if we design our roads more effectively. There may well be a reason, but though we have only a week left before the summer recess, we should find time to ask the National Roads Authority why these roads have been built without the services on them, which should be there. The lack of such services may well be the cause of driver frustration on these roads.