James Heffernan (Labour)

I join others in welcoming the Minister. Both he and his Department are doing a great job, as is the Minister of State responsible, Deputy Alan Kelly. I wish them continued success as they proceed with their work.

I welcome the provisions of the Bill because there is not a family in Ireland which has not been touched by a road traffic accident. As I think about the number of people I knew who died on the roads, off the top of my head I can recall ten fatalities in my parish. I do not live by any stretch of the imagination in a major urban metropolis but in a small town. Furthermore, I know each and every one of the families affected and how the loss of a young son or daughter, a father or mother, has affected each of them. Families never really get over this. We all know families in the same position. Only six weeks ago I attended the funeral of a young man who had died by the side of a country road. Any measure introduced to reduce the number road deaths must, therefore, be broadly welcomed.

I welcome, too, the timing of the Bill, in the lead-up to the October bank holiday weekend and, especially, the Christmas period. This will send a clear message to all road users. These are the times of the year in which people who would normally not drive under the influence of alcohol might be tempted to do so. I hope the Bill will send a clear message to those who might be so inclined not to do so.

The Bill seeks to bring together various strands of prior legislation and tie up any remaining loopholes. In particular, I welcome the provisions of section 7, under which a person involved in a road traffic accident will be tested in hospital. I know of a case close to my own heart in which a young man who rode a motorbike and had been out drinking for a day became adventurous and decided to drive home. However, on the way he crashed into a local farmer who had never touched a drop of alcohol in his life. The young man in question was taken to hospital where no breath or blood tests were done. In time, the farmer was found to be accountable and had to compensate the drunken man who had crashed into him through the payment of a considerable amount of money. I welcome any measure that seeks to stop this from happening.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan referred to the provision dealing with defective vehicles. Will the Minister clarify what constitutes such a vehicle? Is it one which has not passed the NCT?

The problem of drink driving is comprehensively addressed in the Bill. Will the Minister outline the measures that will be taken to deal with the phenomenon of drug driving. Will the mandatory tests apply in cases where drug driving is suspected?

What education programmes are being put in place in schools? Four weeks ago I was approached by the parents of a child who was involved in a road traffic accident. The accident resulted in the death of the driver of the other vehicle and also in their child suffering a long-term brain injury. The father indicated that his son had become suicidal as a result of his injury and that he wanted to bring him to schools, particularly secondary schools, in order that he might speak to other children. It is, after all, during the leaving certificate cycle that most young men decide to purchase their first car. If the boy in question could speak to his peers, it would make them aware of the dangers they face on the roads. Has the Road Safety Authority been asked to provide education programmes whereby the victims of road traffic accidents could be brought to schools in order to speak to students?

I thank the Minister for coming before the House and I look forward to his reply.