A plan to allow teens as young as 16 to drive a car with a speed-limiter has gotten the green light, from Ciara Kelly at least.
The Newstalk Breakfast host was responding to European Union plans to allow teenagers to drive any car that has been adapted with a speed-limiting device set at 45 km/h.
However, the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) is calling for the plan to be dropped.
It has recommended investments in public transport, with reduced ticket prices for younger people, as an alternative to driving and riding, also at places and times when young people are partying.
The proposal was part of plans announced last month to revise driving licence rules in the bloc.
Ciara said she has no issue with it.
"I do think it's fine, and I would go beyond that," she said.
"We seem, in my mind anyway, determined to infantilise adolescents in this country.
"We call young adults, which is what they are, 'children' when in fact they are nothing like children at all.
"I think we should let them drive, I think we should let them vote, I think we should let them have sex.
"I think we should have them held legally responsible if they commit a crime.
"They aren't children, they aren't babies - and we seem determined to make out as if they're kind of incapable in some way.
"I also think... if you give them responsibilities, you will make them responsible.
"If you act like they're kidults until they're 25, they will behave like they're kidults till they're 25.
"I think challenges and responsibility breed responsibility, and it's good.
"We've seen in times of hardship, in other eras, that 16-year-olds can work, can raise families - and we think ours can't even get behind a wheel at 45 km/h.
"It would be very helpful for the teens of rural Ireland: I say yes," she added.
