Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, support the comments made about the former deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, and wish him well in his retirement.

I support Senator Mulherin and Senator Boyhan with regard to inviting the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, to address the issues they raised but also on the increased number of pedestrians that have been killed on our roads and the increased number of cycling accidents. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, was involved recently in a cycling accident.There has been a huge increase in the numbers of people walking, cycling and engaging in other forms of exercise. I constantly see people walking and cycling along various routes, but for the life of me I cannot understand how they are allowed to cycle along national primary routes. One regularly sees people cycling in the hard shoulder of such routes, but doing so should be outlawed completely. The relevant Minister should attend the House to discuss the increase in the number of accidents, particularly involving pedestrians and cyclists. The Minister should also give an overview of what the Government and the Department are doing on the issue of driverless cars which are not that far from being introduced in many countries. We need to plan for the driverless car era. To be honest, it will be a welcome addition in rural areas where it might be the only thing to revitalise rural pubs. In that way, people could be driven home after having a few jars at night-time.