Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 11, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following:"(e) in Part 6 (inserted by section 16(2)(e) of the Act of 2006), at reference number 1—

(i) in column (4), by substituting "3" for "2", and
(ii) in column (5), by substituting "5" for "4",".

These amendments make changes to the penalty points regime. They arise out of the review of penalty points conducted by my Department in 2012. Since drafting the Bill I have agreed to a number of additional changes to the system, which I am proposing in this amendment. I shall outline them briefing.

I am proposing to raise the penalty points for using a commercial vehicle without a speed limitation device or with a device that is not compliant with the regulations in cases where a device is required. At present one gets two penalty points for that offence. I am proposing to increase the number of penalty points to three, and five upon conviction. That is consistent with the increase in the number of penalty points for speeding. This applies to people with heavy goods vehicles or commercial vehicles who are required to have a speed limiter on their vehicles but do not comply.

In amendment No. 4, I propose to correct an erroneous reference which should read "section 16(2)(e)" but currently reads "section 16(e)".

Amendment No. 5 proposes a new penalty points offence for using a goods vehicle trailer or semi-trailer without an authorisation plate or with a plate that has been altered to make it inaccurate. That is an important issue with regard to the suitability of vehicles on the roads. I am proposing three penalty points for that offence on payment of a fixed charge and five on conviction.