Michael McAleer answers your questions
From L O'Toole, Co Galway:
I'm confused as to the law regarding mobile phone use in Ireland. What are the current rules? Can I use my mobile in the car or not? It seems like years ago that it was announced you would get points for it. What is the story now?
Officially, you are not allowed to drive while using your mobile phone as this would qualify as dangerous driving and thereby incur five penalty points. Of course, this is far more excessive than initially planned. Former minister of state Bobby Molloy announced plans to ban the use of mobile phones back in 2002. Indeed, that March, a headline appeared in one national newspaper stating: "mobile phones ban for drivers within 48 hours". We're still waiting.
Mr Molloy ran into trouble over whether the ban would apply to emergency service vehicles as well. A mobile phone ban is due to be part of the upcoming Road Traffic Bill due before the Dáil this year.
While it is obvious to even the most inconsiderate motorist that trying to control a car with one hand clasping a phone to your ear is not conducive to safe driving, the water is muddied by hands-free systems and even speakers on phones.
The problem for the Government is that as with most legislation dealing with technology, often the technology has advanced significantly between the time the legislation is drawn up and the law is introduced.
Some researchers claim that even hands-free systems are dangerous as they distract your attention from the job at hand. However, it could be argued that the same applies to conversations with passengers and, in particular, radio shows. The ban on hand-held devices seems a common sense approach and even if it is not technically a single offence for now, it's still a safety issue that every sensible driver should heed.
From Paul M, Dublin:
I'm looking for a small city car for my mother. It needs to be tall and spacious with room for a decent-sized dog in the back. We'll buy new for the benefits of a warranty, but it will have to last for some time. I don't really want to spend more than €20,000.
There are several cars that fit the bill but two stand out in my mind: the Honda Jazz and the new Nissan Note. The Jazz comes in either 1.2-litre or 1.4-litre format and prices start at €16,395, and for €18,325 you can trade up to SE specification. The Note, on the other hand, starts at €17,895 and €19,895 for the higher specification SVE.
Both have ample boot space, with the Honda offering more with the rear seats up, but the Note nearly doubles the best effort of the Jazz when the seats are down, offering a very impressive 1,663 litres of load space in the back. That's big enough for any dog.
We always like the Jazz and it would have been the one to recommend straight away, but we recently had a first drive in the new Note, and were very impressed. There will be a full road test in the supplement in the near future.
An outside bet would be the Citroën Berlingo, something of a van rather than a car and probably not something your mother will want to be seen in.
However, it does offer 2,800 litres of boot space with the rear seats down and that's enough to open your own kennel, never mind carrying the Jack Russell to the park for a wander.
From E Kennedy, Co Sligo:
My son is considering a career in the motor industry as a salesperson. He loves cars and has done from his early childhood. Do you have any suggestions as to whom he should contact? Should he go straight into a dealership or do a course of study?
There are various routes into car sales. Most salespersons will tell you that there is nothing like cutting your teeth on the forecourt but their bosses will quickly tell you that these days dealers are not keen on losing sales in an effort to let young recruits learn the ropes.
A dealer will be far more impressed if he has a good training course and then comes to work. Indeed many dealers offer in-house training and distributors also offer some courses for dealer staff.
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (Simi) is running courses with Fás for a number of motor industry roles and they should be your first port of call. The SIMI training manager is Margaret O'Shea at 01-669 19 89, or e-mail training@simi.ie
It's likely that in the future car finance will be as important as making the sale. For a successful future in the business he should try and learn about this.
• Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, D'Olier St, Dublin 2 - or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie