The death of their former colleague, Michael Enright of Democratic Left, prompted Seanad members to contributions on the need to prevent road accidents and curb excessive speeding. Pressing for a debate on recent carnage on the roads, Senator Willie Farrell (FF) said he agreed that Operation Lifesaver had been successful, but he felt more legislation would not solve the problem. Innocent people who marginally exceeded the speed limit in villages were often caught. A Government decision should be taken to require devices to be installed in every car to ensure that it could not exceed 70 m.p.h. Several members responded: "Hear, hear."
Mr Farrell said such an approach would cut the number of accidents caused by speeding. Anyone caught interfering with such devices should be banned from driving for at least five years, he said. Senator Brendan Ryan (Ind) said that according to the Garda, speed was a significant cause of accidents. It was vital that motorists' attitudes be changed in this regard. Senator Michael Lanigan (FF) repeated his call for a ban on four-wheeled vehicles fitted with bullbars. He believed these were the most dangerous vehicles on the roads and had caused innumerable accidents.
Tributes were paid by political allies and adversaries to Mr Enright. The Leader of the House, Senator Donie Cassidy, recalled that he had been actively involved in local politics for many years and had worked hard on behalf of the people of Wexford as a member of the Corporation. He had also played a leading role in the Teachers Union of Ireland.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Maurice Manning, noted that Mr Enright had been a member for just one sitting day of the last Seanad. He was a most engaging person, Mr Manning said. "He was one of those dedicated public servants who got very little out of politics but put a great deal in."
Senator Joe Costelloe (Lab) said he mourned Mr Enright as a fellow teacher who had been a very strong trade unionist. Probably the best memorial they could raise to him would be the taking of steps to try to ensure that such awful accidents did not happen in future, Mr Costelloe said.