Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I am disappointed the Minister of State will not accept this amendment. I know it is difficult for him to accept amendments. It is the only one that, perhaps, he would consider accepting because his heart is in the right place. I am fully aware of the commitment of the Minister of State and that of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, to road safety. I am fully aware also of the commitment of the new chairman of the road safety authority. I have no problem in that area whatsoever. The Minister of State mentioned benchmarking. Following a new regime, we all have experience some years later of perhaps the Department or the road safety authority trying to pull the wool over our eyes by saying the position is getting better without disclosing how we compare with international standards. I ask the Minister of State to consider this amendment seriously. I will not push it tonight because it might be reconsidered on Report Stage. It is a minor amendment but is of the utmost importance; it would permit us to display how well we are doing against international standards. The target of reducing road fatalities by 50% by 2012 is a worthy one. In the past others were not as committed to what was intended in the legislation. I urge the Minister of State to rethink this amendment.