Minister says 60 road traffic offences will be included in the system

DRIVERS who are not wearing their seat belts will receive penalty points from July 31, Transport Minister Seamus Brennan confirmed yesterday.

However, he stressed penalty points did not provide the only answer to road safety problems, which called for the constant attention of the gardaí and their support for the Government, which was committed to making penalty points work.

Plans are to include up to 60 road traffic offences in the penalty points system and he was happy the system was already getting the desired results, which currently covers speed and uninsured driving.

“We have 50 fewer deaths on the roads than we had this time last year,” the minister remarked.

“There’s been a 20% reduction in road deaths and a 25% reduction in road injuries. But, it’s a day-to-day battle and while penalty points are making a major contribution, they are not the only answer.”

Also yesterday, Mr Brennan denied trade union claims of ‘dictatorial tendencies’ on the Government side in regard to the break-up of Aer Rianta.

He described last Friday’s meeting with the unions as good, with both sides agreeing to reflect on points made and a series of meetings would be held in the weeks and months ahead to discuss the situation further.

In putting forward the Government’s position, Mr Brennan said they talked about how to get maximum benefit for both workers and airport users alike.

“We had a good meeting. There are no dictatorial tendencies for my part,” he said.

Mr Brennan said he did not engage in that type of language, but there had been straight talking for two hours at the meeting and there were a lot of issues to be worked out in the next 12 months.

In relation to reports that some Aer Rianta board members were unhappy about the break-up of the company, Mr Brennan said he’d had discussions with the directors and would be having more in the coming days.