John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Minister of State for what he said by which I am encouraged. We are all aware that alcohol is a significant factor in speeding. I recall that when the Road Traffic Bill was being discussed here alcohol was the predominant factor.

The whole road signage system throughout the country has been discredited. Local authorities erect signs and never take them down. It gets to the point when one does not know whether one is arriving at roadworks or at an oil spill. I travelled to Galway recently and there were oil spill signs all over the place but there were no oil spills. The danger of this is obvious. One is likely to go off the road when there is one because one has ignored all the other signs for oil spills.

There is a constitutional aspect to the issue of the breath test which I hope can be resolved. I hope this can be done without having to resort to a referendum. However, if this is what must be done, then it must be done. On the hands-free phones, if one can afford a car, one can afford a hands-free kit. We have been discussing this matter for ages and it should be done. I have driven in a number of countries and I do not believe that people in other countries are any more or less responsible than they are here, but the chances of getting caught are high. I drove on a short journey in Italy not so long ago and the speed camera went twice. I was not even aware that I was driving over the speed limit. The fine came back to Ireland through the hired car company, which should be the case. Wherever one travels, one should be subject to the law. Senator Brian Hayes referred previously to a similar situation.

Until the enforcement is implemented, all the abuses will continue. I accept what was said about personal responsibility. There must be personal responsibility and education, but unless the regulations are enforced, people will continue to flout the law.