Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

An international road safety conference is being held in Dublin this week. It has been organised by the National Roads Authority and experts have come from the United States of America, Sweden and Australia. While I am sure that much good will come from it, it is worth bearing in mind that eight years ago, a similar conference on road safety was held with the participation of the same international experts.

At that time extremely good advice, which is worth highlighting, was given by the Australian representative. He spoke about random breath testing and a more countrywide approach to speed cameras. In respect of such issues, it is worth considering that movement in the right direction has only just got under way, in that the Government has begun to discuss such measures.

At that time, however, the Australian expert stated that the best way to put penalty points — which he recommended — into effect was to instil the fear that one might be caught. I must express concern in that regard. Members are aware that there was enthusiasm among motorists for the system when it was introduced in 2002, and they were vigilant about not speeding. However, that enthusiasm has waned and many motorists now honour the system by breaching it rather than observing it.

There have already been 76 tragedies on Irish roads this year. However, some pointers are positive. Recently in this House, I inquired as to why the rules of the road booklet was not printed in different languages. It has not been reprinted for 11 years although many changes have taken place during that time. I welcome the Government's decision to print it in eight different languages, which is a positive step. However, while 31 penalty point offences will be introduced on 3 April next, few people would be able to identify the purpose of even five of them.

Members who participate in local radio programmes will recognise the degree of ignorance in respect of the penalty point offences which are to be introduced. Although many such offences appear to be extremely simple, they will incur penalty points from 3 April. Given that the new offences will come on stream on 3 April, I cannot understand why every motorist and household has not been informed about them. It is important to provide this information. When they are introduced, many people will protest that big brother is watching in earnest. I am all in favour of information being provided and the people being aware of the offences. I hope he Government will take a step in the right direction and ensure the information is available.

The problem we have encountered with transport in the past, and in the carnage on Irish roads, is the fragmentation of Departments. The Taoiseach indicated recently he would pull different Departments together. I want the Minister to let us know how that is working out because there is a need for a supremo in charge of this entire area to co-ordinate everything to ensure a reduction in the number of fatalities on Irish roads.

I note the Minister stated recently that cars from outside the State cannot be impounded at present, even though they may not be taxed or insured. We should close that gap. If we are to reduce the carnage on Irish roads, it will take many punitive measures which must be enforced. After eight years of Government ineptitude on this issue, I hope at last we are seeing positive movement for the future. Let us hope we are because there are many areas that the Government must tease out to ensure it happens.