Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Bill, as I did when it was originally passed by the Seanad. I recognise the tremendous effort that has been made by Senator Paddy Burke and his Opposition colleagues, who have co-operated with the Government during the passage of the legislation. It is clear that there is consensus in this House about the manner in which we should deal with the problem of deaths on our roads.

While this legislation is welcome, it will not save any lives on our roads unless everyone concerned makes a real effort to respect the rules of the road and to recognise that the use of the road is a privilege and not a right. We will not make any progress until such a change in culture takes place.

The Department of Education and Science needs to educate young people about the use of the road so they respect it and recognise it is a privilege rather than a right. That will take some time, however. I caution those who seem to think the passage of the Bill is the answer to the problem of deaths on the roads. If we are to see a successful outcome in this regard, everyone will have to co-operate over a long period of time.

Even though the number of cars on our roads is higher than ever and is continuing to increase, as some Senators mentioned on Second Stage, people seem to think the level of road deaths has increased. Given that there is more activity on our roads and the number of cars in Ireland has risen, the level of fatalities has not increased in real terms. We have to be careful in dealing with statistics.

I welcome this legislation. I hope it will receive the co-operation of the Departments of Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which is needed if the Garda Síochána is to be involved to the extent that is necessary to ensure that everyone adheres to the various provisions of this Bill to the best of their ability.