A Fine Gael Senator has called on the Minister for Transport to begin legislating for the arrival of driverless cars - as they could save the ailing rural pub.

Returning today from its Christmas recess, the first order of business in the Seanad was dominated by reaction to yesterday's Action Plan for Rural Development.

Commenting on the issue of road safety, Fine Gael Senator Paddy Burke said: "The minister should give some sort of an overview or view on what the Government and his department is doing in relation to driverless cars which are not that far away from being introduced into a lot of countries.

"I think we need to be planning now for the driverless car."

He said it would be a welcome addition to rural areas "because it may be one of the only things that might revitalise the rural pubs" and allow people to be driven home "after having a few jars at night time."