FF urged to fight rural closures

By Mary Regan, Political Reporter

Monday, October 26, 2009

FIANNA FÁIL backbenchers have been told to show the same concern for rural Ireland when it comes to the closure of schools and Garda stations as they have over the controversial new drink-driving laws.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has offered a further olive branch to the party’s backbenchers by reducing the sanction for those caught over the new limits when they are introduced.

In a further climbdown, Mr Dempsey said drink driving will carry three penalty points rather than six when the limit is reduced from 80mg to 50mg for 100mls of blood.

More than 20 backbench TDs are opposed to the move and yesterday said they are awaiting more information from Mr Dempsey before deciding whether or not to accept his compromise.

Seamus Folan of Irish Rural Link yesterday said a reversal of the law will not save rural Ireland where there is already a huge problem of isolation.

"Rural isolation is a problem that has been facing us over the past number of years and needs to be dealt with," he said.

"But I would ask the Fianna Fáil TDs would they have the same raucous meetings in the parliamentary party over the closure of rural schools, rural garda stations, the imposition of carbon tax and a whole range of other measures being proposed at the moment. To me they are much more serious and more likely to cause the demise of rural communities and indeed rural pubs than this proposal on drink driving."

He said rural isolation is getting much more serious with the current recession and "it’s much more complex than just saving the pubs".

Although Mr Dempsey is willing to reduce the sanctions, he said there will be no reduction in the penalties for people caught with blood alcohol levels of between 80mg and 100mg per 100mls. Drivers breaching the higher limit face six months disqualification and a €400 fine.

Mr Dempsey said as far as he was concerned, "the important thing is to get the legislation in place" and that "whatever it takes to try to ensure that happens, I’m open to suggestions".

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, October 26, 2009