Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I thank all the Senators who participated in this debate. I also thank the Minister for Transport for staying so long in the House today.

We have been criticised by some in this House for choosing this subject for tonight's motion. If it was so important to Opposition Members why have they not addressed it in their Private Members' time before now? We tabled this motion before the bank holiday weekend for one reason, namely, we wanted to focus attention on road safety. We wanted to address the issue of how we try to save 140 lives per year.

The most positive aspect of the debate was the statement by the Minister about the recommendations on speed cameras and the privatisation of their operation. A great deal has been made of that issue. I welcome the Minister's commitment that the operation and location of cameras will not be dependent on the numbers caught, as is the case with clampers in Dublin.

Many speakers referred to speed limits which is an issue for local authorities. As Senator John Paul Phelan said, there should be appropriate and consistent speed limits across the country. Local authorities have that onerous responsibility. Garda enforcement of the speed limits must also be consistent and appropriate in order to achieve the public and driver support necessary.

With regard to the issue of driver testing and the new standards authority, the Minister has been very forthright in this debate, stating that we need more testers and that he will work on that issue. One of the reasons for this motion was to establish the Government's position.

There might be only 33 new members added to the traffic corps this year but I hear little from the opposition as they realise there will be 2,000 extra gardaí on the streets by the time this Government's term of office ends.