Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister. It is great that there is someone in charge of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport who is so good at his job. I agree with Senator O'Sullivan that we are always very quick to highlight the negative. However, I am of the view that Fianna Fáil did a reasonably good job in respect of transport.

The Bill is extremely important in that it will assist in further reducing the number of accidents on our roads. The number of road deaths reached a record low in 2010, when 212 people were involved in fatal accidents. This compares with almost 400 road deaths in 2005. A previous speaker indicated that at some point in the past there were 600 road deaths in one year. This shows how far we have come in the intervening period. It seems likely that there will be another record low in 2011. To date this year there have, thank God, only been 135 fatal accidents. We must remain on top of this issue and we cannot afford to become complacent in respect of it.

I accept that there are many vested interests and organisations which have not welcomed the legislation. However, people must be encouraged to consider the bigger picture. The lower limits relating to drink driving that are contained in the Bill were originally outlined in the Road Traffic Act 2010. I do not need to rehearse the position in respect of those limits because Senator O'Sullivan has already done so. One of the points that is consistently raised in opposition to reductions in the drink driving limit is that they will contribute to rural isolation by forcing people to remain in their homes. That is a real issue and there are two observations which must be made in respect of it. The first is that in virtually every debate relating to this matter, the idea that people can go out and not have a drink is completely ignored. This speaks to a greater societal and cultural issue which must be addressed. I agree with my party's spokesperson, Senator O'Neill, to the effect that we must take cognisance of the issue of courtesy when discussing this matter. There are many issues other than those relating to alcohol which give rise to problems on the roads.

The pervasiveness of the drinking culture that exists in this country tends to reinforce the notion that people cannot go out without consuming alcohol. I raised this point recently when commenting on under-age drinking and I reiterate what I said then, namely, that young people can only but follow the example given to them by adults. The wider debate on this matter highlights a need on the part of some people in society and it also presents us with an opportunity to develop further legislation. One proposal could be for the Minister to consider granting very limited, tightly controlled hackney licences to publicans. I know that was previously part of a Fine Gael policy. There should be incentives to allow publicans to transport citizens on some form of social benefit, particularly those in receipt of old-age pension. A nominal fee could be charged and in addition, a rebate could be allowed on the tax on petrol consumed. I am sure the Department would be more than capable of coming up with this or some other measure.

This Bill is certainly a step in the right direction but we must continue down this path. Ultimately, we should advocate a zero tolerance policy. In the context of such a policy, the need to find creative ways for such establishments to make money becomes greater. We must foresee such a problem and look to formulate alternative revenue streams for urban and rural Irish pubs. Zero tolerance is a necessity and the prevention of a life being needlessly cut short is a goal worth pursuing.