Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their interesting and valuable contributions. I will try to address some of the issues raised. Senator O'Sullivan and others asked about the accompanying driver provisions. It is already the case that a learner must undertake a particular number of lessons before taking the driving test. Following enactment of this legislation, a learner will have to produce a log book which sets out the amount of accompanied driving done by him or her. It will be a straightforward process prescribed by regulation. The log book will most likely be completed by a parent, relative or friend. There is always the possibility that people will complete the log book fraudulently but we must trust people in this regard. I am sure parents will want to ensure that their children who are learning to drive gain experience by way of their driving in a car with them.

When it comes to enforcement, I agree with Senators that there is a need for greater Garda enforcement on our roads. I do not, however, believe it is true to say that there is a direct correlation between Garda numbers and enforcement and road deaths. As Senators will be aware the number of gardaí in the traffic corps peaked in 2010, during which year the number of deaths on our roads was higher than for last year or the year before that.

So it is not a direct correlation, but I would certainly like to see more enforcement.

Mr. Gay Byrne was appointed as chairman of the Road Safety Authority under the previous Government. I took the decision with the support of my Government colleagues to reappoint him. One of my reasons for doing so is because he has access to the media. He is also an independent person and can criticise the Government, courts and Garda from time to time when appropriate. By and large when it comes to making public appointments I do not appoint yes-men or yes-women because I do not want people like that. That is the reason he was appointed and long may he continue to speak his mind, even if sometimes my colleagues and I might not like what he has to say.

Senator O'Sullivan spoke about the poor box. I am not sure if people heard Ms Catherine McGuinness speaking this morning on NewsTalk. She spoke very authoritatively about this and pointed out that provision in law exists for the poor box. It is a convention that goes back to long before the foundation of the State. I understand why it is there. It is there because judges in certain instances do not want to impose a criminal conviction where it may not be appropriate because a criminal conviction sticks with a person for a long time and he or she must declare it if subsequently applying for a visa to travel or work overseas. Nobody wants to impose that on somebody unfairly. The problem is that there are no proper guidelines and it is clearly being applied inconsistently. If the figures quoted in the newspapers today are correct, 25% of all poor box moneys were collected in one county, County Kerry. As 25% of the population do not live in County Kerry it does not add up and that is a matter of concern. Clearly there is an issue there.