Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Áine Brady. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, stated that no driver can avoid being tested for alcohol intoxication when serious road collisions occur. If we start from that point, this Bill is welcome. As Oireachtas legislators, in tandem with local authorities, the Garda and motorists, we must ensure we support every initiative and all legislation that will eliminate the risk of lives being lost on our roads. We live in an era where there is polydrug use among a wide section of society and within communities which is causing difficulty. The Minister referred to this point in regard to preliminary impairment testing by the Garda for drug driving enforcement.

It is time the country had a serious discussion on the use and consumption of alcohol. It is important we do this in a non-hysterical, sensible and mature fashion and that we listen to the debate, arrive at a conclusion and work on its implementation. I use that terminology deliberately because it is my view we are a nation which uses alcohol unwisely. We have a difficulty with it and need to address the issue. It has manifested itself in many different ways but especially regarding road safety. The random breath test is important, as are the powers to be given to the Garda, which are welcome. The introduction of mandatory alcohol testing must be supported.

I am concerned that we are becoming somewhat complacent. We believe the arrival of speed vans on different roads throughout the country will deter motorists from speeding. I would very much like to see the use of gardaí on non-national and secondary roads which have a speed limit that is not being observed by some people. One sees little or no Garda activity on these roads. I draw an analogy with the speed limit on the Cork-Dublin motorway, namely, 120 km/h from Watergrasshill to the outskirts of the old Naas dual carriageway. There are very few accidents on that road. People generally drive safely and adhere to the speed limit. One might also take, for example, the Ballincollig bypass in Cork which extends from Bishopstown to just beyond Ovens. It, too, has a speed limit of 120 km/h and few if any accidents . People adhere to the speed limit or stay close to it. Nevertheless there is a preponderance of Garda speed checks on this road which makes no sense. We need to concentrate on the minor roads where people speed in excess of the limits of 80 km/h or 100 km/h in areas adjacent to hospitals or schools in rural areas. On occasions in certain towns and parts of the country I have seen people who do not adhere to the speed limit as they approach schools on main roads at the edges of towns or drive in areas with particular difficulties.

It is welcome that we have lowered the number unfortunately killed on our roads. It took a long time to arrive at that and a great deal of investment and time on the part of the Government to listen to the families of those who died and to the Opposition. As legislators, we must ensure drink driving can never be condoned in any shape or form. There is a very powerful vested lobby group in this country which is well able to speak for itself. It is important we work collectively rather than divided to eliminate the dangers on our roads. In his remarks the Minister spoke about the medical bureau of road safety. It is critical for the equipment to technically measure blood alcohol content to be manufactured and purchased in this country in as much as is possible. The Garda Commissioner spoke yesterday about reduced budgets and if it is possible I hope the equipment to be used for breath testing will be sourced within the country in order to provide jobs.

I ask the Minister of State to inform the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, that we must consider the issue of drug use and people driving under the influence of drugs. It is a problem and gardaí have given anecdotal evidence. We must embark on an educational programme in our schools and among our adult population. The Bill is welcome and I hope it will have the desired effect. I thank the Minister of State for listening to the contributions.