Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----who appears to have become unwell at the wheel. It was a particularly sad week for many families because of a loss of life on the road over the weekend. As we head to winter time and darker evenings, not to mention the bank holiday weekend, the message must go out from this House that everyone should be more vigilant on the roads. We must check our tyres and lights and support the activities of the Road Safety Authority. As we approach the festive season the issue of drink-driving is another matter. We must also consider speeding up the introduction of roadside drug testing for drivers at the scene of accidents. Last week I called on the relevant Minister to come to the House to discuss that matter. It is intended to introduce that facility next year and all of us in the House would like to see it available at an earlier date.

I support some of the compliments paid to our Taoiseach for the display of his diplomatic skill over the weekend and ensuring the communiqué of 29 June, indicating how Ireland is to be treated as a special case, is back on track. We now have the support of the German Chancellor and French President and we can make very significant progress in the interests of the country. I am a little saddened that many politicians and people in the media would like to see our Taoiseach fail.