Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I seek a debate in the autumn term on the failure of the penalty points system to reduce road deaths. It is appalling that, so far this year, 191 people have lost their lives on the roads. One can only imagine the heartache this has caused their bereaved families. Clear patterns are emerging as to when car crashes are most likely to occur. As legislators, we should have a role in preventing road accidents. We must analyse why the penalty points system was so successful initially but has since failed to reduce road deaths. I hope the Minister for Transport will attend the House for such a debate in the autumn. He may be able to enlighten us on this matter.

We are beginning to see some unravelling of the initial success of the smoking ban. I am not sure if the current Minister for Health and Children will be in charge in the autumn, but perhaps we can have an ongoing debate on the success or otherwise of the ban. There is a tendency to introduce new laws that start off well and then fade away. The penalty points system is an example. In the autumn term, the new Minister for Health and Children may outline whether he or she has any plans to introduce a system, as in New York, where pubs can apply for a smoking licence. It would be interesting for the House to examine that aspect of the issue, so perhaps the Leader could organise such a debate in the autumn session.