Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The heads of the Bill to establish the new driver testing and standards authority have been approved by Cabinet and the drafting of the Bill is being finalised. I have had discussions with some civil servants who are due to move to that authority. It is my intention that the authority would deal with the backlog in an aggressive way as soon as it is operational. I am seeking to have the eight vacancies filled as soon as possible. I agree with the Deputy that this will make a difference. Approximately 370,000 people currently hold provisional licences. A considerable number of those hold second or subsequent provisional licences.

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