Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

I wish to raise the issue of the fatalities which occurred on our roads during the bank holiday weekend. I begin by expressing my sympathy to the families of those who died on our roads.

It was disturbing to hear the chairman of the Road Safety Authority calling for two Departments to agree on the roll-out of speed cameras. According to the chairman, Gay Byrne, a stand-off between the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Finance has led to an unacceptable delay in the promised roll-out of speed cameras. While I note both Departments have indicated no difficulty exists, I would like clarification in this regard. Perhaps the Leader will seek clarification in regard to this long promised element of the road safety strategy. It is a matter of concern that seven people died on our roads during the bank holiday weekend. There was a sense that significant progress was being made in terms of reducing the number of fatalities on bank holiday weekends. I believe that between the May bank holiday weekend and the Easter weekend only one fatality occurred. This was one fatality too many but seven over a period of one weekend is far too many. As legislators and policy makers we must ensure we are doing everything we can to make our roads as safe as possible.

Will the Leader invite the Minister of Transport to the House to provide an update on how the implementation of the new arrangements for provisional licences is coming into effect and to address the concerns raised about testing procedures? Driving tests must be a great deal more comprehensive. It was mentioned to me that night-driving is not examined. When we test people we must ensure they have the skills necessary to drive safely on our roads and not put their lives or the lives of others in danger.