The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill has passed in the Dáil with 75 TDs voting in favour and eight TDs voting against.
The legislation will impose stricter penalties on drink drivers and it will also make it an offence for car owners to allow a learner to drive their car unaccompanied.
It was delayed for several months due to the strong opposition mounted by a small number of TDs from the Rural Independent Group.
During today's debate, Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae was accused of delaying the bill and speaking in a "round about way".
He insisted that he was representing the people of Kerry and all those who lived in rural communities across the country.
Mr Healy-Rae, who spoke for an hour and 15 minutes on the bill, also described those who criticised him as "bully boys"
He was labelled "despicable" by Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster, who along with Fianna Fáil TDs Robert Troy and Declan Breathnach, took issue with rural independents slowing down the pace of the legislation.
Two hours were allocated to discuss the bill this morning and Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl intervened several times to urge TDs to respect the Dáil and not to inflame a difficult situation.
Source: Mícheál Lehane, RTE.ie, 06/07/18
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