Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

My comments on the implementation of the penalty points system for the four offences have been well rehearsed in the past week or two. It is disturbing that the Minister apparently either does not accept that there is a problem or suggests that the problem will be miraculously fixed on 3 April 2006. The handheld units made available to the gardaí are little more than electronic dockets and do not give access to information about penalty points. In addition, the PULSE system does not give access to information about penalty points.

Even if this part of the process worked, does the Minister accept that the process itself contains built-in flaws because it involves so many different stages, individuals, Ministers and agencies, and is almost bound to fail? It is one thing to say that people are automatically disqualified once they acquire 12 penalty points, which is undoubtedly the legal position, but there is very little point in having this system if nobody, including the driver, knows this.

I am concerned that when we move to the additional 31 points and people will be automatically disqualified, at least in theory, if they are detected, leading to more people being automatically disqualified earlier because of the additional offences, the entire system will be completely discredited because it will break down. There are too many stages in the process of recording penalty points.

The Minister should accept that there is a genuine problem. I understand the Minister was quoted as saying that it was hearsay, but this problem exists. Does the Minister accept that responsibility should move to one body and one Minister? Otherwise, the system is bound to fail.

As part of the current Road Traffic Bill, we proposed establishing a safety authority, which would be fully responsible for ensuring that the entire sequence of stages in the process are fulfilled. If the Minister has a better idea, I am willing to listen to it. Perhaps, the gardaí should take responsibility for it. I am not sure which body should accept responsibility for it but some Minister must accept responsibility for ensuring that penalty points incurred are noted on a driving licence so that the system has meaning. If the penalty points system is to be effectively enforced, one Minister must be responsible for it. Does the Minister accept that the current system is failing because one Minister is not assuming responsibility? Will he guarantee that the issue is included in the promised Road Traffic Bill?

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