Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar. My party will not oppose the Bill for a number of reasons. First, it is very much based on what was included in the programme of the previous Fianna Fáil-led Government and, to a certain extent, is fine-tuning the heavy lifting done in the 2010 Act. The last Government must be commended for its huge commitment to enhancing road safety, not just in the 2010 Act but also in a whole raft of initiatives it took in dealing with the matter. Some of this was done under very strong pressure exerted by interest groups such as the vintners associations, community groups and many other influential organisations. Moreover, much of it was delivered, despite a barrage of criticism from then Opposition backbenchers. I happened to pick out one choice contribution by a then backbencher who is no longer in the Houses. In opposing the legislation he said:

I oppose the main provisions and the detail of this Bill. The Minister has been driven around for far too long and he no longer has his feet on the ground ... The Minister is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut in this case by reducing the permitted blood alcohol level.

The Minister will be delighted to know that this quote is taken from the contribution of his former party colleague, the great P. J. Sheehan.

The previous Government did not get an easy passage in 2010.