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Liam Doran of the INO made an interesting point on the radio this morning by comparing the interest and debate this has generated in the FF ranks, when compared with NAMA or cutting costs in the public sector.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr A
I'm generally not of the same mind as the unions :D but he's right on the money.
FF knuckle-draggers strike again...
Did anyone really expect FF backbenchers to let this through easily. Vintners' nearly as powerful as developers in certain circles
I think the IT editorial on this sums up the situation nicely:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...257148169.html
http://www.independent.ie/breaking-n...cs/ahern-says-Future leader playing to back bench's:rolleyes:Quote:
Wednesday October 21 2009
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has said the Republic should have the same drink-driving limit as Northern Ireland, which currently stands at 80mgs.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey wants to reduce the limit to 50mgs in the Republic, but several Fianna Fail backbenchers came out against the plan during a parliamentary party meeting last night.
They claim it would damage rural pubs and communities, but Mr Dempsey says the measure would save lives on the roads.
The cabinet has approved the reduction and the minister says he wants to publish legislation on the matter before Christmas.
However, Mr Ahern said this morning that the law in the Republic should not be changed unless it is also changed in the North.
"We should work with our Northern counterparts to ensure that whatever we do or they do will be the same," he said.
Jeeeeeez what a plonker. Should all laws be the same on both sides of the border? What the hell is his point?
Fair play to Dempsey on this one, hope he sticks to his guns.
The resistance to this has been pretty daft as a whole, and the politicians have been particularly headless.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr A
That said, it'd be a bit silly that a man living near the border might leave his local pub, drive two miles perfectly legally, and then suddenly be unable to drive. Not much of a consideration to base law-making on though - the laws change at the border, tough luck. Hey, maybe we could charge import tax on the alcohol in his bloodstream. ;)
Its no different to having a different speed limit when you cross the border.Quote:
Originally Posted by John83
Absolutely moronic argument from Ahern.
Wouldn't expect any better from the guy who spent time dreaming up a blasphemy law that he says he intended never to be enforced.
Jesus wept.
Not much, but it is a little. The speed limit changes regularly as you drive along anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by OneRedArmy
It's a bit easier to reduce your speed than your blood alcohol in fairness.Quote:
Originally Posted by OneRedArmy
It's still a daft argument.
Depends on how plastered you are :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Schumi
O/TQuote:
Originally Posted by Ringo
Learner drivers don't kill people unless they're idiots, and idiots will continue to drive like idiots after they get their test. This learner driver thing is bull****.
FYPQuote:
Originally Posted by Mr A
Thats just one area. What statistics are you using to say learner drivers don't kill people:confused:They should still be enforcing the existings laws.Quote:
Originally Posted by SligoBrewer
10 will lose lives after drink-drive climbdown
http://www.independent.ie/national-n...n-1920930.html
Quote:
AT LEAST 10 people will die on our roads over the next 12 months because of the Government's climbdown on plans to reduce drink-driving limits, road safety chiefs predicted last night.
It's irrelevant whether they do or don't, the point is the lack of enforcement. They don't even enforce the law when it involves the offender having a feckin sticker on the outside of the car telling everyone that they're breaking the law!Quote:
Originally Posted by SligoBrewer
Ringo, do you not see the irony of tacking SligoBrewer on statistics, and then posting makey-uppey RSA statistics yourself?
Surely the point is that idiots don't get their test?Quote:
Originally Posted by SligoBrewer
Are there any figures for the number of deaths caused by people with between 50 and 80 mgs?
And for the record, I've no problem with the principle of reducing the drink level, even though I often drive home after a UCD game with a couple of (i.e. two) pints on me. Perfectly legally too, I might add, as I've passed a breathalyser test. I'd be cynical like others that this isn't a particularly major problem, and there are other issues that need addressing beforehand.
The link was to a story in the independent, which I agree has little or any facts other than a scare tactic and it suits the RSA agenda. But the point remains you can't say learner drivers don't kill people no mare than you can say they do kill people. The point I made earlier on is that the present laws should be enforced in the government are serious about road deaths. Just past by the bus gate in Dublin at College Green where there are four traffic cops giving out tickets to motorists for going through it. Why aren’t they showing as much interest in speeding, careless driving etc? Dempsey must have a lot of time on his hands , if this is the best he can come up with. Speed limits are a joke in this country. 80KM on the new N4 & yet the same applys on a small boreen near where I live.Quote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
NIs transport minister Edwin Poots was on Morning Ireland earlier where he said harmonising laws cross-jurisdictionally is no impediment to our government proceeding with reducing the limit to 50mg. I got the impression he resented the attempt by some in FF to use the border as an excuse to shelve, park or kick to touch this idea.
He said there has been much by way of joined up planning for this going on already and that the north will have the limit down to 50mg early next year. He also stated a preference for a reduction to 20mg.
I wouldn't favour a reduction to 20mg. It seems* I'd likely still pass a test at 50mg after two pints, so my initial resistance to the proposal has weakened. The average man, drinking at an average pace, could still consume two pints. And the average woman, drinking at an average pace, can have two glasses of wine. I think that's a fair and responsible limit for fair and responsible people.
*Based on a handy individualised blood-alcohol calculator at the following address(which has a rogue comma to avoid the foot.ie language censor) - www.rup,issed.com.- http://url.ie/2oog.
Cheers dahamsta, I've learned something new today.
( Just use a URL shortener, par example: http://url.ie/2oo6 )