Rónán Mullen (Independent)

As already stated, when considering these issues we must not just think in terms of deaths, we must also consider the position regarding serious injuries, particularly as the figures relating to the latter are quite high. The reduction in the numbers of fatalities is taking place against the background of an increase in both the number of vehicles using the roads and the number of young drivers. We can state, therefore, that the strategy is positive, that it has been working and that we should support it not only with strong laws but also with serious enforcement of such laws.

Essentially, those are the points I wish to make and my colleagues will be glad to hear that my contribution is almost at an end. We should not send out a mixed message but we will do so as long as there are two different drink driving limits in place. Zero tolerance is the way to proceed. There must be some permitted minimum to avoid the undesirable scenarios to which I referred earlier, namely, consumption of alcohol on the day prior to being tested, consumption through the use of alcohol in cooking or whatever. We must certainly avoid sending out a mixed message to younger people, especially if they form the view that there is some kind of higher permitted drink driving limit to which they may aspire after a couple of years. I am of the view that this sends out all the wrong signals. The issue of the identifiable measurability of permitted drink intake also comes into play. As matters stand, we have been presented with a recipe for unnecessary confusion and this could give rise to unfortunate consequences.