The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Healy-Rae slates planned law for learner drivers
INDEPENDENT Kerry Deputy Micheal Healy Rae has labelled the Government’s proposals to criminalise unaccompanied young drivers as “an outrageous attack” on a generation of young motorists.
Deputy Healy–Rae said Leo Varadkar’s administration should “leave our young drivers alone.”
The Kilgarvan based Deputy raised the issue in the Dáil after the proposal was raised in cabinet last Tuesday afternoon.
In a potentially controversial intervention Taoiseach Leo Varadker argued that “perhaps” if the 11 unaccompanied learner drivers who have died on Irish roads in 2017 had complied with the law they would still be alive today.
Micheal Healy Rae said that young people are trying to do their best to better themselves and this proposed government amendment to the Road Traffic Bill is “outrageous and a scandal.”
ThE measures proposed by the Fine Gael led Government include a €2,000 fine and sentences of up to six months in prison for people who allow unaccompanied learner drivers to use their vehicles.
The measures, if approved by the Dáil, will still require approval by Attorney general Seamus Woulfe.
Deputy Healy-Rae strongly opposes the proposed new laws and says that it would be more in the Government’s interests to catch criminals who break into elderly peoples homes rather than trying to criminalise the young generation of Ireland.