Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairperson. I thank the House, and particularly everyone who has contributed to the debate over the past while and during earlier Stages, for the passage of this Bill. It is, as Senators will be aware, a short and focused Bill to address the worrying trend we have been witnessing on our roads. After the worst year on our roads in almost a decade in 2023, sadly we are currently on trend for a significantly worse year in 2024 and systemic action to turn this trend around is urgently needed. To bring about this change, the Bill targets three priority areas relevant to driver behaviour: increased sanctions through penalty point reform; mandatory drug testing at the scene of serious collisions to help tackling the growing issue of drug-driving; and the introduction of safer default speed limits.

With regard to speed limits, with the enactment of this Bill, I will be engaging with local authorities to move quickly and in a co-ordinated fashion to conduct their own speed limit reviews, and following that speed limit by-laws in accordance with the devolved powers that councillors have such as the new speed limit framework being implemented then.

As I said in the past, it is a much-needed Bill. Road safety impacts everyone on this island and a strong response is needed now. I thank all colleagues for their co-operation in both Houses for the quick passage of this Bill. Once it is signed into law, we will focus our attention on the important business of implementing the Bill's various provisions. I, again, thank everyone.