FG: Gardaí need resources to enforce road laws
Fine Gael has expressed concern that the Gardaí will not have the resources they need to implement new road-safety measures signed by the Minister for Transport yesterday.
From midnight tonight, motorists will not be allowed to use mobile phones while driving, while gardaí will be allowed to conduct random breath-tests in an effort to tackle drink-driving.
The measures are being widely welcomed, but Fine Gael TD Olivia Mitchell said today that she feared they may never get properly implemented.
"When they introduced penalty points, the administrative system simply wasn't in place, there was no resources put in," she said. "I, unfortunately, have the same worries about this legislation.
"I don't see any new resources going into the Gardai to ensure that they actually can enforce the legislation and the court system is completely unprepared to cope with the flood of additional court cases."
Her concerns were also echoed today by the Irish Medical Organisation, which said the new measures would only be successful if backed up with the necessary supports.
