A report in this morning's The Irish Times made for disturbing reading. Figures from the Road Safety Authority, RSA, show that 521 disqualified drivers have been involved in car crashes that caused serious injury and death. This is unacceptable to us all. In that context, when are the road traffic and database Bills intended to be before the House? I hope the Tánaiste will be able to signal to us when it is intended to introduce legislation that was mentioned by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in recent days to deal with what seems to be a difficulty for the State in seeking drink-driving convictions. I am sure that the Tánaiste was equally concerned when she became aware of the RSA's statistic that some 60% of drink-driving cases did not result in convictions for drink driving.

Will the Tánaiste confirm whether the judicial council Bill will be before the House shortly and whether it will contain a provision allowing retired judges to return to work as barristers?

I agree with the Deputy regarding the RSA. The reports that have emerged regarding drink-driving conviction rates in certain courts are disturbing. I understand that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is examining the matter as a priority. We have seen further reports of people who, having been convicted, were involved in further accidents, some of them resulting in death and serious injury. These are important matters and the Minister will treat them as a priority. He is also seeking the advice of the Attorney General on how, where necessary, the legislation can be improved and the court and IT processes involved can ensure greater matching of data as a priority. No one driving himself, herself or his or her family wants to see people who drink and drive, particularly those who then engage in dangerous driving or have prior convictions, on the roads. They are not only a danger to themselves, but a serious risk to the health and lives of other road users.

Regarding the other two Bills, we expect them this session.