Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael)

I agree with the vast majority of what the two Senators said, especially the point made by Senator Mullins on conducting a road safety campaign to highlight the need for good visibility and tyres in wintertime. However, I am not sure about Senator Mooney's point on providing an incentive to get people into garages. Car owners have a duty of care to themselves and other road users and we cannot give them grants to have bulbs changed and so on. That would be impractical. If there is a defective light, it is up to the car owner to do something about it. It is up to the Minister for Transport or Minister for Justice and Equality to ensure the Garda Síochána enforces the law by stopping vehicles and thoroughly checking their lights. I am aware that every two years, before the national car test is due, drivers bring their car to a garage and have it serviced, which will often include having bulbs fixed or replaced. The question, however, is whether they continue to take an interest by asking a neighbour, for instance, whether their brake lights are working. One will know if one's headlights are not working properly because visibility will be poor. Motorists must fulfil their duty of care to other road users by ensuring their vehicles are not defective. This message should be included in the advertising campaign advocated by Senator Mullins for the winter months.