John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, and Senator John Paul Phelan, raised the issue of speed limits and those people who appear to be escaping sentencing in court. In one case the recorded speed of a defendant was an astonishing 200 km/h. I am not fully familiar with the detail of whether the Department advised that it was not required of the local authorities to implement the by-laws, because from my experience as a local authority member, the local authority always introduced by-laws where changes were taking place.

I fully agree that this is not acceptable. I also agree that the law must be regularised to ensure that people who are in breach of speeding restrictions are subject to penalty. I think that is what we all want. There have been many debates in the House on road safety where we have pointed out the dangers of excessive speed. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Transport and ask him if he will come into the House to debate it in detail.

Senator Brian Hayes, together with Senators Tuffy and John Paul Phelan, also raised the Garda Síochána Act and joint policing committees. I do not know what is the position but I will bring the matter to the Minister's atttention. There can be a difference between a Bill and what is enacted. Just because a section forms part of a Bill may not necessarily mean its provisions are enacted.