Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I compliment the Minister on his work and recognise that this is a procedural Bill. Quite simply, we need the revenue. There has been a fair attempt, in difficult circumstances, to distribute the liability evenly. Safety and other elements were raised by the previous speaker. I would like to see us take a more innovative approach as I do not see any difficulty with young people being on the roads per se. To increase motor taxation to such an extent as to disincentive driving would be a negative approach while at the same time I see where the Senator is coming from. I am driving since I was 17 years of age and it has enhanced my life. That I have driven for so long and in safety is positive. I would like to think the Government could bring forward a strategy for younger drivers who are in that zone where they could be more of a danger on the road without it being financially punitive but perhaps that is the only way. It is a discussion we could usefully have in the House on another day.

I commend the Bill.