The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, announced to the media yesterday his intention to increase penalty points and fines for speeding, which has been met with anger and frustration in the constituency of Cork South-West where there has been no proper investment in roads. I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the Minister's proposal to apply a fine and penalty points to motorists who do not have their licence on them. There has been an outcry among farmers, fishermen and people working in construction, who have tractors and jeeps fully insured, taxed and with an NCT but given the nature of their jobs, they must use different vehicles daily and would find it impossible to carry a licence.

Could the Deputy ask a question?

Previously a garda would tell a person to drop in to the Garda station and produce his or her licence. Could we have a proper debate on the issue? Will the Taoiseach stand by those law-abiding people and not allow the changes to go ahead?

Unfortunately, we did not have an opportunity to discuss that memo at Cabinet yesterday because we had to set aside additional time to talk about Brexit, so the memo will go to Cabinet next week.

It is important that we have robust and effective road traffic laws-----

Hear, hear.

-----but it is also important that we are not too draconian either.

I have to admit to, on occasion, having left my wallet at home and, therefore, having driven without my driving licence. We need to tighten up the law but we need to tighten it up in such a way that we are not a police state.