Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I also cannot support the amendment because there is a need for some flexibility. I was once stopped by a garda on my way out of the country. In such circumstances it is not possible to be back within two days. I am somewhat concerned over the Minister saying that when the plastic cards are introduced, a driver failing to produce a licence there and then will automatically be prosecuted, fined and get penalty points. With the best will in the world, a driver might mislay the licence, leave the wallet behind or whatever. As the records will be computerised I presume the Garda authorities would have access to the national database and be able to check if a garda was concerned a person might not be entitled to be driving a vehicle. I would be concerned if it was too tight and there was no flexibility where genuine mistakes in mislaying a licence might occur. The prospect of incurring penalty points and a monetary fine is very serious. The impact on getting insurance is the real concern for many people. While we want to ensure that everybody is within the law we need some flexibility when genuine situations arise.