Kerry CC support permit system which allows rural people drink and drive

Just heard this on the BBC News, sounds absolutely ridiculous, and makes me wonder what people from outside of Ireland think about us. Can see the stupid paddy stereo type coming out as a result.

A permit that allows you to drive slowly because you have had a few drinks, have heard it all now.

Congrats to Ireland on replacing the USA as the dumbest nation on earth

CruelCoin wrote: »

OP,

Most country people drink drive. .

Eh, no they don't Obviously there are some, but MOST do not. My father goes down to our local every Saturday night- he's a pioneer so just goes for the company, not the drink. This notion of having to have a pint or 3 to socialise is as worrying as DHR wanting people to be allowed to drive after 3 pints. Anyway, as regards my father's friends who do drink- none of them drink and drive. They get a lift from someone, often their wives or another neighbour.

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Kerry County Council have about as much influence on the drafting of drink driving laws as I have.

Total non-story.

That may be true, but it's bloody scary to think that there are people out there who were elected in the 21st century who hold opinions like DHR.

efb wrote: »

I lived in rural Ireland 7 miles to town.

Taxis are available. People to scabby to use them and publicans want the money spent in their pub.

I lived a similar distance away, maybe a bit more, til I bought my own place in a big town. Never had a problem getting a taxi. Granted, it was expensive, but if I was short on money I just drove myself and didn't drink. Again, it IS possible to socialise without alcohol (and I say that as someone who thoroughly enjoys a good session).

Sofiztikated wrote: »

What this IS doing is glossing over the fact that there is a problem with rural social isolation. It is a problem.

People of the older generation, the pub is the social hub. They have done it for years, and drink driving, and it's laws have seriously impacted on this.

However, that generation do need to adapt to changing conditions. It is down to this generation to help them.

Pubs could organise a minibus. They could arrange reduced fares with local taxis. The bingo bus could be used for nights when bingo isn't running. Designated drivers could/should be encouraged. Maybe suggest to a group of oul fellas that they could take it in turns driving.

I doubt the "Go over to Paddies, and sleep on the sofa" idea will be a runner, I'm ok with that, you might be ok with that, but at 60/70 odd years of age, your bones wouldn't appreciate a night on the sofa.

Of the replies from the Kerry Coco counsellers I've received, none of them were present, for various reasons, ranging from illness to letting colleagues go early due to poor weather.

Absolutely. I'm not saying that we should say to older people out there "sure get over it, times change". We need to be able to come up with ideas in order to help them adapt to these changes. I know that the GAA have set up a Social Initiative in conjunction with Mary and Martin McAleese to help elderly men who feel isolated, but I think the government could do more for those in rural areas too. I genuinely think a lot of posters her don't have a clue what rural living is like. One poster saying something like "well you have to expect facilities not to be as good as if you lived in town"- fair enough, and there are benefits to rural living too of course- but you also shouldn't feel totally isolated. Obviously DHR's ideas are mental, but there should be some sort of scheme where communities co-operate together to help those who feel most alone. That's true in urban areas too, but it's more pressing in rural areas where transport is a major issue.

lintdrummer wrote: »

I feel the need to clarify my posts since so many of you have taken what I've said the wrong way.
I don't agree with this proposal but I don't think many of the contributors here understand the situation. It's all well and good from the outside looking in telling everyone it's a black and white issue when it just isn't as clear cut as that. It's a deep rooted problem that won't go away unless something is put in place to counteract it. The point that I've made that is causing the most confusion is that people are drink driving and it's not the sensationalist dangerous behaviour that some are making it out to be. They are over the limit, but not drunk. That's not to say it's correct or should be excused due to circumstances but it's not deserving of being labeled neanderthal behaviour.

The same law and limit levels apply to everyone. They're unlikely to be stopped at a checkpoint in the back of beyonds but that doesn't mean that we should be making measures to facilitate drink driving. Its also pretty dodgy to try and write in exceptions because of location. Its strengthening the urban -rural divide. It would certainly make me less sympathetic to any rural issues raised in the oireachteas.

Carrying on turning a blind eye isn't great either but fairly typically Irish I suppose.
I don't see why they would request special treatment for something as stupid as this

My main question is whether this is something constituents have asked for or whether it just publican Healy-Rae's own agenda?
With more and more elderly people in rural areas being violenty robbed and many local amenities gone by the wayside I could think of better ways of forging community links.

To be honest evening living in a city you can limited options re getting home if you choose to socialise outside of your immediate environment.

Incidentally one of my friends lives in rural Kerry a different part to these bums and their local pub provide a mini-van service. The punters pay a couple of euro and get home safely. Also, as I've already said the bus is more social

doolox wrote: »

...and dysfunctional planning laws of the last 50 yrs.

People in rural areas do not have the same access to public transport or taxis as people from more settled areas. I know that my mother, for example, cannot get a taxi to run her to mass on a sunday about 5Km away from the village where she lives and it is impractical for her to walk as ther are no footpaths or lighting etc. The local taxi service has hinted thath the run is not long enough to be worth it and she is left waiting....they never refuse but they never arrive to get her there on time.

People in rural areas have got used to a lax level of enforcement until the last 10 years or so but now must get over the loss of spontaneous, unplanned access to social drinking opportunities. These msut now be planned and budgetted for. Most people are familiar with bingo busses and many country dance bands find no problem arranging busses so it could be done for pub frequenters with a little skill and imagination.

These are sadly lacking in many rural publicans I have known.

It is done in Scotland and other similarly sparsely poulated areas

This is very true but the council should be looking at solutions to the public transport issue not suggesting that we should go easy on the country lads
Let them have their few pints and drive home.

If the area has no taxi service then the council could organise a survey to provide justification for one. One that could be used during the day by the elderly, people with disabilities etc. and then have the secondary function of covering the pub run.

Rural pubs can mostly get away with staying open past closing time so I don't buy that they would lose out on revenue massively if they provide a solution to the transport issue.

They'll be looking to reverse the smoking ban next.

Either they're subject to the same laws as the rest of us or they're not. If not, then I want compensation. Why should I be penalised for being an urban dweller.

If the council really wanted to think outside the box they could do a bit of research into school bus and disability transport services that have been cut in rural areas in the last few years. See if there is a way that these vehicles could be used for the after pub run to raise vital funding for these services.

irish-stew wrote: »

Just heard this on the BBC News, sounds absolutely ridiculous, and makes me wonder what people from outside of Ireland think about us. Can see the stupid paddy stereo type coming out as a result.

A permit that allows you to drive slowly because you have had a few drinks, have heard it all now.

Fairly stupid alright but I wouldn't worry about it too much.
A clip from Halls Pictorial Weekly is doing the rounds on facebook as actual footage from Irish news.
Kerry County Council's muppetry doesn't help to dispel any stereotypes but the news in the UK seek out these ridiculous stories anyway.

I'd rather they all have a chuckle at us refusing to give up our drink than wonder why we're knocking lumps out of each other over a flag

Oh brilliant - as if we need to reinforce the "Drunk Paddy" stereotype worldwide! The Healy-Rae's are an embarrassment, but those who constantly vote for them are worse...

I'd be in favour of it, however with the kicker that anyone who does have this permit is given a milkfloat that is painted bright orange. This is their only form of transport they are allowed. It is restricted to 7.5 mph and has six flashing warning lights on it. It also has a sign on the side saying "I'm a selfish cunt"

Let's see how many want a permit then.


As a suggestion, I notice that my local county can charge me with DUI for riding a horse drunk (quite a rural horse-y area) but I can legally ride a donkey home shitfaced. Perhaps we should put these donkeys on donkeys to get home.

CorkBabe33 wrote: »

Oh brilliant - as if we need to reinforce the "Drunk Paddy" stereotype worldwide! The Healy-Rae's are an embarrassment, but those who constantly vote for them are worse...

Now i think we are known as broke paddy, i think we all know that this thing is stupid and who is going to take it serious .