Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

There was a particular reason for the delay. We had access to a driving test down to five or six weeks recently. That was a very good average. There was an understanding that in certain situations provisions were going to change. This caused an avalanche of applications. There are multiple applications in the system. I am not defending it. More instructors are needed. We need to resolve the situation and I am determined to do it. This Bill will be a vehicle to achieve that.

The enforcement of road traffic laws and the availability of an appropriate deterrent system are of fundamental importance to the establishment of a culture of safety on our roads. However that deterrent system can only be maintained in the long term where the basis for sustained enforcement is available.

The establishment of the new traffic corps, which was announced late last year by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will provide the level of permanent enforcement that is critical to the promotion of road safety for the future. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Commissioner are proposing that 700 additional gardaí will be assigned to a new traffic corps which will be headed up by an assistant commissioner. Approximately 500 gardaí are already involved in traffic duties, so the proposal will bring the total number of gardaí in the traffic corps to 1,200. It is important to state that the figure of 700 does not include the 500 gardaí already involved in traffic duty. The assistant commissioner responsible for the traffic corps has been appointed and I wish him well in his new role.

The introduction of penalty points in 2002 allied to the increase in the maximum levels of financial penalties that can be imposed for traffic offences has had a cautionary effect on road users. The further major extension of the operation of the penalty points system and the supporting fixed charge system, which will be rolled out this year, will further augment the level of deterrent against poor driving behaviour.

I referred earlier to a promotional campaign launched yesterday relating to pedestrian safety. Recent tragic incidents where pedestrian fatalities resulted from collisions with heavy goods vehicles, HGVs, highlight the particular vulnerability of pedestrians. The issue of pedestrian safety in the context of heavy goods vehicles is a subject that has a resonance throughout Europe. In November 2003 the EU adopted Directive 2003/97/EC, which provides for an extension of the field of vision in HGVs to address the issue of blind spots. All new HGVs entering into service from 26 January 2007 will be required to meet the revised standards for field of vision set. I made a statutory instrument for that purpose in December last. In addition, subject to practical engineering constraints and the agreement of the EU Commission, I intend to require existing vehicles of the types covered by the directive to be retrofitted with the necessary mirrors and cameras and monitors. We are required under internal market law to consult with the Commission before imposing technical standards, including standards for vehicles, that are not already provided for in EU law.

All road deaths are tragic, especially those involving vulnerable pedestrians. However, I can advise the House that in 2003, the last year for which full data on road collisions are available, 64 pedestrians were killed on our roads. This is the lowest level since 1997. It is not a satisfactory figure but it is promising that we are going in the right direction. I ask all companies involved in HGVs not to wait until the law is implemented before upgrading their vehicles. The law comes into force under the EU directive in 2007. I would appeal to all owners of vehicles to fit standard equipment. The life of someone is worth the price of a mirror on the front of a cab so that the driver can see where people are. It is a small cost and as Members of the Oireachtas we appeal for people to do this. This will become law soon but there is no reason why responsible people should not do it immediately.

In the short time available to me this evening I have referred to the overall road safety situation at present and our overall goals for the immediate future. I have also referred to a range of major initiatives that are being progressed or planned. Senators will appreciate that there are a range of other issues that are being pursued across many areas. These include a comprehensive review of the National Car Testing Service, the implementation of recommendations made in the report of the Motor Insurance Advisory Board, and the question of the establishment of an agreed basis for the operation of mutual recognition of the penalty point systems operating here, in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Senators will appreciate that the Government remains fully committed to the promotion of road safety in its broadest sense. The enhancement of safety across all transport modes is a central goal of my Department. Casualties resulting from road collisions have historically been at a level significantly higher than that experienced across all other modes. For that reason I and my Department will continue to place a high premium on the delivery of policies that will advance road safety on a long-term basis. As we approach the May bank holiday weekend I appeal to the public to drive carefully. The public should respect speed limits, wear safety belts and refrain from drinking and driving. If these three principles are adhered to the number of deaths will be significantly lower. Lives will be saved and injuries will not occur and the outcome will be far better. There is no excuse for drivers behaving irresponsibly. If drivers do not think about themselves I appeal to them to think of others.