Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I rushed to the House but Members will be pleased to hear I was not driving. I welcome the Bill. It contains many issues about which I am concerned.

One issue of concern relates to fixed penalty charges and when, where and how they are imposed and recorded. When penalty points are imposed, there is no collation of the information relating to time, location or zone. We do not know how many thousands of penalty points have been amassed in certain areas. This matter must be examined. I have not had an opportunity to check the transcript of a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport earlier this year which addressed the issue, but I am fairly sure that a Garda representative stated — I am open to correction on this — that penalty points are not imposed after 2 a.m. That is also the time of night when the majority of single vehicle road fatalities occur. We are all too well aware of the number of such fatalities, especially at weekends involving young male drivers.

A brave step needs to be taken, similar to the one taken by the previous Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, in regard to the smoking ban. People said it would not be accepted and would not catch on but it has become very much accepted practice. It was a very daring step for a Minister to adopt and it has worked. We have to get to the stage that when people get behind the steering wheel of a car they realise the dangers they pose to others if they are not responsible. In that regard, the time has come for random drug and drink testing. It would generate considerable public debate if a Minister were to take that step. I believe such a move would find favour with the vast majority of people. I urge the Minister of State to consider such a forward-looking step. Other Ministers have implemented far-reaching measures which people thought would not happen. In his contribution, Senator Quinn said this is within our grasp.

The Government has been highly successful in the area of insurance reform. Insurance premiums are collapsing because of actions taken by the Government. We do not read about this in the national press because it is good news. The Government needs to take a serious look at how we are addressing the issue of road safety. There is an onus on Members to encourage the Minister to look seriously at this area, when one considers the number of people that are killed on our roads and the number of families that are affected.

Another concern which has been brought to my attention by many constituents is that of foreign nationals driving cars on our roads. I do not know if their cars are insured.