Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Safety Belts.
- Seat belt prosecutions and ministerial example 9 speeches
The Minister reported 10,864 prosecutions in the year to November 1981 and said road-safety campaigns encouraged belt use. Quinn challenged Ministers’ example; Brady endorsed wearing belts and disputed the allegation, while the Ceann Comhairle barred naming anyone.
Ruairí Quinn, Gerard Brady, John F. O'Connell, Donal Creed
- Funding for the National Road Safety Association 4 speeches
Andrews argued that better funding would allow the Association to expand public information encouraging seat-belt use; the Ceann Comhairle treated this as a separate matter and moved to the next question.
Niall Andrews, John F. O'Connell
asked the Minister for the Environment how many prosecutions have been initiated under the aegis of his Department or by the Garda in relation to the non-wearing of car safety belts; and if he will make a statement on the effective operation of this provision.
Comment on this
(Dublin South-East): Prosecutions in relation to the non-wearing of safety seat belts are not initiated by my Department, but by the Garda Síochána. The latest information available to me shows that in the year ended 30 November 1981 there were 10,864 such prosecutions for non-wearing of belts.
Measures to encourage drivers and front seat passengers to accept that the wearing of safety seat belts is for their own protection are pursued by the National Road Safety Association.
Comment on this
Is the Minister of State aware that most members of the Government of which he is a member travel in the front seat of official cars without wearing safety belts? Will the Minister accept that this House has concern for the safety of any office-holder since example is required in this matter what action, if any, does the Minister propose to take?
Comment on this
(Dublin South-East): Having made a statement like that, the Deputy should state which Ministers he is referring to. I never sit in the front seat of a car without wearing a safety belt. It is unfair to make such statements unless the Deputy is prepared to substantiate them here. I think that example should be given in this matter and that Ministers and Ministers of State should wear seat belts.
Comment on this
I will point out to the Deputy that he will not be permitted to make allegations or to make any criminal charges against any Minister. I would not like the Deputy to name anyone at the present time: in fact, he would be prohibited from doing so.
Comment on this
(Dublin South-East): On a point of order, I said the particular Departments concerned. It is not necessary to name the people.
Comment on this
In his reply the Minister referred to the National Road Safety Association. Will he not accept that if the association were properly funded more propaganda and information could be made available to the public encouraging them to wear seat belts?