Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The purpose of the Bill is to establish the road safety authority and to amend section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2002, which relates specifically to the implementation of the European Commission convention on mutual recognition of driving disqualifications. I respectfully suggest to Senator Burke that it is not appropriate that this Bill be used as a means to amend the Road Traffic Acts which constitute a legal framework for the regulation of traffic vehicles and drivers.

The road traffic Bill is in the course of preparation, and the heads have been cleared by the Government some time ago. I know we will get the co-operation of all sides of the House, and I am anxious that we get the Bill through by the summer if at all possible because it will refer to speed cameras, mandatory breath testing and revision of licence procedures. I suppose I should not have gone into all that but I am just pointing out that would be a more appropriate time for Senator Burke to raise the issues he noted in his amendments. It is not appropriate to include them in this Bill.