Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for not tabling this amendment. As I have said, the main reason I am not in a position to accept it is that its acceptance would have consequences for other important legislation.

I would like to respond briefly to the point he made about road safety legislation. Before I came to the Seanad this morning, I attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications at which the Senator was present. I place great value on what we need to do to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. At this morning's meeting, the Senator raised the serious and legitimate public concerns that exist regarding the issuing of penalty points. I repeat that this issue is being taken very seriously by the Government. I have received a report and a notification from a working group that was established to ensure the right lessons are learned from this episode. One of the measures I have provided for is the greater centralisation of individuals within the Garda Síochána who have the ability to cancel or change penalty points. This measures goes to the heart of addressing some of the concerns raised by the Senator. I thank him again for not pursuing this amendment and for showing an interest in how this Bill can be improved.