Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I support what Senator Ormonde said about the issue of drink driving. I note the Government has decided it will note the recommendation from the Road Safety Authority on the proposed reduction of the legal blood-alcohol limit. It is important for us to have a debate about this. Last week, Senator O'Toole called for the evidence to show the link between road fatalities and the relevant blood-alcohol limit. Research from 2003 shows that where alcohol was involved in road deaths, one quarter of those involved were below the legal limit. It is important for us to discuss the matter but, as Senator Ormonde said, we should do so in context. If we are to change the limit, we need to examine the penalties so that we will have public support at all times for whatever is proposed and the fabric of our community life will not be endangered by a law which might be well intentioned but not properly thought out or contextualised.