Update: Fianna Fáil TD claims rural isolation will follow Transport Minister's road safety legislation
A Fianna Fáil TD claims the Transport Minister's road safety laws will lead to rural isolation.
Shane Ross is proposing automatic driving bans for people who are caught over the alcohol limit.
But he's facing opposition from a number of TD's. One of them is Fianna Fáil's, Kevin O'Keeffe.
"When you go to a pub, you are drinking in a controlled environment. Some of these people are doing that," said Mr O'Keeffe.
"But now, they're at home and no control between the measures and the cans - they just drink over the limit.
"But there are other issues. Loneliness kicks and they don't get a chance to go down and meet their neighbours or whatever.
The Transport Minister admits his road safety legislation could cost people their livelihoods.
The Road Traffic Bill proposes automatic driving bans for people who are caught over the alcohol limit.
However some TDs claim its "an attack on rural Ireland" and will hurt business especially pubs and off-licences.
But Shane Ross insists there cannot be separate laws for rural parts of the country.
"What's happening here is right and we have to pay a bit of a price for introducing it," said Mr Ross.
"It will cost. Maybe it will cost some people dearly and their livelihoods and I don't want to do that, at all.
"But sometimes you have to pay a price to save lives and for the greater good."
