Good afternoon, and on behalf of the outgoing Board of MAG Ireland I would like to wish you all a very warm welcome for our 2004 annual Group Conference. Circumstances prevent me from attending here today - a change of dates on a long-awaited holiday - while I am willing to give my free time to MAG, I draw the line at cancelling my holidays! I hope that the conference will be a success and you all will enjoy it and participate in the discussions

What we all share as motorcyclists, and MAG members, is a common passion for motorcycling. MAG exists to promote and protect the freedom and enjoyment that motorcycling has given each of us, and while we may differ on the details, this goal is at the heart of MAG's existence.

We now have a new Minister for Transport in Martin Cullen - whose record in the Department of the Environment has been controversial. It remains to be seen whether, unlike his predecessor Mr. Brennan, he can deliver meaningful change, and not just press releases or ill-thought-out proposals

The primary concern of MAG is insurance costs. Many riders - who have not made claims - have seen increases this year of 40% or more, and in some cases up to 200%. This is unacceptable, particularly as other forms of insurance are falling - as are legal costs of claims and the claim awards themselves. Once again, Irish motorcyclists are being ripped off. MAG organised a demonstration on Saturday the 25th of September in Dublin to protest against the insurance industry, and the Government which lets them away with it. MAG calls for action to make the operation of the insurance industry more transport and to end the current situation where the dice is loaded against the customer. The lack of competition in the Irish insurance market should also be addressed. We are supposed to have been leaving in a single European market5 for 12 years now - but the 1961 road traffic act still closes off the Irish motor insurance market to insurers not based in this country. This situation is a scandal and the buck has been passed between the three Government Departments of Transport, Finance and Enterprise. Now as the Department of Transport takes over responsibility for motor insurance's issues, is the time for this out of date legal barrier to be dropped. Europe is not just for the benefit of farmers or businessmen, it is also supposed to benefit the consumer too.

Making our roads safer has always been one of the main concerns of MAG. I am pleased to say that, in the last twelve months, fewer of our fellow riders have lost their lives than the year before - but at the same time the needless loss of life continues to sadden and concern me. Motorcycling fatalities. Motorcycling fatalities are less in the media spotlight now than a year ago, but we have no room for complacency, and much room for improvement. Unfortunately, in relation to motorcycling there is often a tendency, both in the media and in Government , to come up with knee-jerk reactions which only fail to address the real road safety issues, but are also damaging to our rights as riders.

Compulsory basic training for motorcyclists is still Government policy, but over two years after it was proposed, very little progress has been made. MAG has been representing the interests of motorcycling on the Compulsory Basic Training working group. Although we would much prefer training to be introduced for all road users, nonetheless we should do what we can to ensure training will be to high standards and costs will not be excessive. We will also continue to push for the introduction of compulsory training for all new road users, along with increased motorcycle awareness in the car theory tests and driving test.

Talking of driving tests, this is something of "urgent" action is promised by the Government year after year, but nothing ever improves. The current system is at breaking point and this certainly does not help to make our roads safer. The waiting lists also mean that riders must wait a long time before they get the chance to pass their test and have the opportunity to get cheaper insurance. The waiting period is often over a year and this is completely unacceptable the new Minister for Transport must give the highest priority to sorting this mess out quickly. We also need the tests themselves to be brought up to date, which will make them fairer as well more realistic of actual day-to-day riding conditions. Ireland must end soon the practise of testers following riders on foot or on a car, a procedure which makes us the laughing stock of Europe.

There are some things which Minister Cullen should do, but also some which he should avoid - and one of those is the temptation to turn to speed cameras as the answer to all road safety - as well as a nice little cash earner! The speed cameras and checkpoints in the last couple of years - concentrating on safer roads with speed limits which are too low - brings law into disrepute brings the Gardai into disrepute, alienates the public, and in the end is totally counterproductive. The UK is much further down this road than we are and the backlash is already happening there. As they generate more and more speeding tickets in Britain, ordinary police enforcement is falling and this means that dangerous and drunken drivers have far less to fear. The UK death rate is starting to rise in spite of the swarm of cameras. Speed cameras do have their uses at particular accident blackspots, or schools when children are about, but their over use and misuse hurts instead of helps road safety. Minister Cullen must resist the temptation to festoon Irish roads with the things. The public will not be fooled by revenue Raising disguised as safety.

I would like to close by thanking everyone who has helped who has supported MAG in the last twelve months. Whether by subscribing: be encouraging others to join; by giving up their time to help run a local group; by setting up a new local group; by setting up a new local group; by manning a MAG stand at a rally or show; everything that MAG does for the benefit of motorcycling depends on voluntary support.
Thank you.

I would like to thank my fellow members on the outgoing Board - Jimmy Kenny, Gearoid O Byrne, Linda O Loideoin - for the great efforts they have for the benefit of MAG over the last year. I would like to thank the MAG President David French, for his often-unsung work behind the scenes, particularly at the European level, and for his continued enthusiasm and support.

I would also like to thank all those who have represented their local groups at the National Council meetings, and ensured that the views of members at the local level are heard.

Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank you all for attending, and wish you a prosperous and safe year ahead to you all/ I hope MAG will continue to receive your support in the coming year.

Thank you,
Eoin Kirwan
25th September