New legislation which will impose stricter penalties on drink-drivers and make it an offence for car owners to allow a learner to drive their car unaccompanied has passed in the Seanad.
The passage of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill through the Dáil was delayed for several months due to the strong opposition mounted by a small number of TDs from the Rural Independent Group.
The bill was spearheaded by the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, and he has welcomed its "efficient" passage through the Upper House.
He said: 'I am particularly delighted that this bill has finally completed all stages of its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas, and I would like to thank the members of the Seanad for addressing it so efficiently."
He said it is "a short but very important Bill, which will tackle two serious problems on our roads, drink driving and driving by unaccompanied learners."
Minister Ross said he is looking forward to the President Michael D Higgins signing the bill into law "so that we can save lives on our roads."
Danny Healy-Rae, one of the Rural Independent TDs who was accused of filbustering to delay the bill in the Dáil, claimed it was "a sad day for rural Ireland" when the bill passed in the Dáil on 6 July.
There was applause in the Seanad chamber this evening when the bill passed.
The Seanad has now adjourned for its summer recess until it returns on Wednesday 19 September at 2.30pm.
Meanwhile the chairperson of the Road Safety Authority, Liz O’Donnell, said she welcomed the passing of the Bill.
She said: "Tough laws to police and deter killer behaviours like drink driving require societal consensus and acceptance to make a difference."
She commended Gillian Treacy, Noel Clancy and the Road Victims Groups who are "tireless advocates" for safer roads.
Ms O’Donnell said for this law to be effective and save lives, it must be accompanied by strong, visible and widespread enforcement by An Garda Síochána.
