The RSA have hit back at TDs, including Danny Healy-Rae, who have slowed down important road safety legislation across the country.
The RSA have issued a very strongly worded statement against TDs such as Kerry's Danny Healy-Rae, who they claim are slowing down important legislation that will seek a mandatory driving ban for anyone with a blood alcohol level of above 50 milligrams/100 millilitres.
Earlier this week, Healy-Rae claimed the measures would further isolate rural drivers and stated, "a pint and a half pint never made anybody drunk."
Although she doesn't mention Healy-Rae by name, chairperson of the RSA Liz O’Donnell left little room for interpretation when she says that the debate has "descended into farce and filibuster."
In a statement issued on Thursday, O'Donnell said: "These TDs are dominating the discussion on the Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2017 which is currently at report stage in the Dail. What should have been a straight forward passage of the Bill at this stage has descended into farce and filibuster.
"Clearly unhappy with this behaviour a number of other deputies raised ‘on points of order’ the extensive filibustering by these deputies which is clearly designed to delay the passage of this bill. It is also having a knock-on effect in delaying all other important government legislation.
"This is an unprecedented situation and the delaying tactics being employed by these Deputies is putting at risk the introduction of important measures to save lives on the road. Quite simply it’s costing lives.
"These Deputies are showing utter contempt for Road Safety and are not reflecting the views of the vast majority of the people of rural Ireland. It must be heart breaking and offensive to the bereaved families left to rebuild what is left of their devastated lives.
"I would call on these deputies to desist from these irresponsible and selfish tactics impeding the passage of the Bill. The bill should have been across the line weeks ago and already saving lives as it will undoubtedly do."
Earlier this week,
Healy-Rae stood up and spoke out against the bill.
"It is sad to think that the farmer coming home from the market, he can't come into the pub now to have one pint or maybe a pint and a half-pint," he said.
"He won't be able to come into the pub to have a pint and a half-pint, to tell people what he got for his animals, or how the day went for him.
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"All of that will be gone, people will have to stay inside at home. They will be like rabbits inside in a burrow. If the fox or the terrier is around they will be afraid to peep out, because some fella like you will be outside.
"This is no laughing matter, Minister. This is what you're doing to people in rural Ireland. You're paralysing them. You're isolating them, and you're treating them like dirt, Minister.
"This is hurtful, and I can tell you Minister, because they'll tell you themselves, they hate you down there, and they'll never forgive you for what you're doing to them."
Additionally, Healy-Rae stated that "No one in the 50 mg per 100 ml to 80 mg per 100 ml (blood alcohol) bracket caused a fatality.
"I certainly don’t condone drunk driving but a pint and a half pint never made anybody drunk and that’s the truth Minister."
