Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The operation of the penalty points system, which commenced with effect from 31 October 2002 in respect of speeding offences, was subsequently extended to apply to the offences of driving without insurance, careless driving and offences relating to the non-wearing of seat belts.

When a driver accumulates 12 penalty points, he or she is automatically disqualified for a period of six months under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 2002. Since its introduction, more than 300,000 drivers have incurred penalty points and 49 have been disqualified. The extension of the penalty points system to an additional 31 road traffic offences is scheduled for 3 April 2006 and I am confident that the relevant support systems will be in place.

The statutory regulations and commencement order to put the legal system in place for this extension of the penalty points system are being finalised in my Department in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel following consultation with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The statutory instruments will be completed very shortly in advance of 3 April 2006.

Garda Síochána IT systems to process the new penalty points system are coming on stream. The relevant interfaces are in place between the gardaí and the Courts Services IT systems and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which holds and administers the national driving file.

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