A BILL to impose tough penalties on drink-drivers, including automatic disqualification for some, has passed in the Dáil despite strong opposition from one rural TD.
The bill, proposed by Transport Minister Shane Ross, would impose automatic disqualification for all drink-drivers caught with more than 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood and would make it an offence for car owners to allow a learner drive to use their car unaccompanied.
A total of 75 TDs voted in favour with only eight against.
However, Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae, a member of the Rural Independent group who resisted the bill, was accused of rambling, verbal diarrhoea and filibustering the bill during today's debate.
Mr Healy-Rae talked for more than an hour about what he called adverse effects on rural communities.
He cited busy parents, waiting times for driving tests and insurance premiums as roadblocks to the effectiveness of the proposed legislation.
He added that the new laws could create mental health issues in rural Ireland.
Opposing TDs became mired in a shouting match on three different occasions while Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail struggled each time to regain the floor and accused those involved of bringing the Dáil into disrepute.
Margaret Kavanagh (60), whose 10 year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver in 1991, called Mr Healy-Rae's behaviour in the Dail despicable.
"Mr Healy-Rae should walk in our shoes for a day, they're not thinking about other people, they're only thinking about themselves.
"He's talking about people's mental health, what about our mental health? Those who have lost their children.
"I don't want his sympathy, he's talking about the concerns of the vintners of Kerry when people's lives are on the line.
"I just want to keep children safe like I thought I could keep my daughter safe," she said.
Mr Ross said the filibuster by the Rural Independents group was absolutely unforgivable and accused members of playing politics, adding that the delays could have cost lives.
"We're absolutely delighted with today's result and I'm sure this will greatly reduce the number of drunk drivers on Ireland's roads.
"The Rural Independent group have been very irresponsible and acted completely and utterly unacceptably, delaying this legislation was very dangerous."
After 16 hours of debate, the bill will now move to the Seanad for passage.
When the Bill passed in the Dail, Danny Healy-Rae was heard shouting: "This is a sad day for rural Ireland."
