Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I can arrange a bilateral meeting.

I thank the Senators for their time and input into the development of the Bill which was initiated in this House, and for bringing it to its conclusion. The interest in the Bill in both Houses indicated the concern of Members about the broad area of road safety.

This is an important road safety Bill. For the first time it will permit roadside breath testing and the privatisation of speed cameras. We know that most road deaths are attributed to drink driving, and speeding. It is essential to have the legal power to deal with this in the continuing effort by all to reduce death and injury on our roads. I call on all road users and drivers in particular, to observe the speed limits, not to drink and drive, to use safety belts and to remember that their fate or that of someone else with whom they may collide may be just around the next corner.

I also want to sympathise with all the families who have lost loved ones and dear ones over the past six months. I sincerely hope the record for the next six months will represent an improvement on the record for the corresponding six months last year. I believe more in the carrot approach than in the stick approach represented by this legislation. If individuals were to observe the rules of the road, care for others and change their behaviour, there could be a substantial reduction in the number of fatalities and serious accidents on our roads. Go raibh míle maith agaibh as ucht bhur gcuidiú.