James Heffernan (Labour)

On the amendment, which proposes to change the time from ten days to two, I understand from where the Minister is coming. A few weeks ago I travelled back to my constituency from work. The new roads caused me to put my foot down a little too much. A garda stopped me and questioned why I was going so fast. He commented that my Toyota Corolla was not built for that type of speed and I had to agree with him. I learned my lesson and took my chastisement. I did not have my driver's licence with me.

One practical reason people do not carry their driver's licence with them is its size. It does not fit neatly into a pocket or a wallet. I drove my wife's car and kept my driver's licence in the sun visor but forgot to transfer it to my car. I am from a rural constituency and it is difficult to find a local garda at a Garda station because they are only on duty during particular times and days.

It was almost impossible for me to get there to meet the garda within two days, owing to travel commitments. The ten-day rule was quite appropriate to me and if it did not exist, I might have received a few more penalty points. For those practical reasons I cannot support the amendment although I appreciate the spirit in which it was proposed.