Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Brian Hayes, who was responding to statements made at the conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. I am glad this was spoken about because, at the end of the day, the association desires a sense of tolerance towards the restrictions imposed. Gardaí have favourite locations. As the Cathaoirleach knows, their favourite target in our county is the new dual carriageway outside Limerick, where they actually stop people before 8 a.m. on Sundays to penalise them. Perhaps the gardaí are being directed from on high but there must be a sense of tolerance.

Some of the changes in the area of speed limits have been silly. There is an 80 km/h limit on most regional roads but a plethora of these signs were erected on narrow culs-de-sac, which possibly did not have speed limits in the past. People were complaining about speeding in these areas and now 80 km/h signs have been erected.