Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael)

After two years a young person will have learned a bit more about driving. Senator Mullen's amendment should not be put to the House because it is too draconian. We live in a rural country and although the Senator said he was from rural Ireland, he does not live there. Some 64% of the population in this country live in rural areas.

All research has shown that one drink will put a person over the 50 milligram limit, so there is effectively zero tolerance. The system is graduated and a person will be given three penalty points and fined €200 if he or she is caught over the limit. That person will be put off the road for a second offence. There is a small bit of leeway but this still affects those in rural Ireland. This Christmas, every trifle that a mammy makes in the country will have alcohol in it. A mammy with a heavy hand for sherry or whiskey in a trifle would be-----