Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to speak to the House about driverless cars, an issue I raised here on a previous occasion. This House is perfectly placed to debate this issue. Whether we like it or not, driverless cars are coming down the road at a very fast pace. It will require many changes in legislation. We will have to look at issues like traffic lights and driving licences. Will a driving licence be required for a driverless car? Will it be a different type of licence? Will a person need a licence to be in charge of the car? What will it mean for the insurance industry? I believe we will have fewer accidents and fewer people going into accident and emergency units. It will have lots of benefits and there will be lots of changes. There will be a great need for change in legislation in the not too distant future.

I ask the Leader to bring in the Minister in this regard. We need to do a lot of forward planning to be ready for driverless cars when they come. Will roads have to have a white line on the inside? There will have to be parameters so that the car can see where it is going. This House could draft a report. It could interview people involved in this industry, because it is something that is coming down the tracks. This House is well-placed to draw up a report on this issue, which will be a major change in the lifestyle of people in the not too distant future.