Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Evidence has emerged in Germany about the safety aspects of smoking in cars in the report, Rauchen in Autos. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia implemented legislation in this regard from 1 May 2013 but I accept we are evolving all the time. If our research does not indicate it is a problem in Ireland, we will keep in touch with what the Germans are saying. That is fine and the Minister will return to the House later in the year and we will both see what is in the research.

It is useful for Members, the Garda, the RSA and other interested parties to continue to examine the offences that are causing concern and to ensure penalty points are flexible. I will not press my amendments. The agenda is never closed on any on these matters, as we seek to the reduce the number of road fatalities to 160 or below. According to a set of EU figures some time ago, 55,000 people were killed on the Union's roads in one year. This requires eternal vigilance and the amendments were tabled in that spirit. We think they might help the Minister to achieve his safety goals and it is useful to have discussed them. I thank the Minister.