Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 19:

In page 7, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:

5.—(1) The Authority shall, in the exercise of its functions as prescribed by section 4(1) of this Act, be responsible for setting training standards and ensuring quality control of driving instructors.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (3) of this section, the Authority shall assume such functions in respect of driving instructors as are conferred on the Minister by, and in accordance with, the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2004.

(3) The Authority shall put in place such structures as it deems necessary to regulate driving instruction and driving schools, and shall maintain a register of those who are qualified to give certifiable driving lessons.

(4) Driving instructors shall be obliged to undergo regular quality control testing and retraining at such intervals as may be prescribed by the Authority.

This amendment similarly lays down in greater detail the functions of the authority. It seeks to delete "may" and insert "shall" in requiring that the authority would ensure quality control of driving instructors, would assume such functions in respect of driving instructors as are conferred on the Minister and would require them to undergo regular quality control testing and retraining at such intervals as may be prescribed by the authority. Like the Minister and other Deputies we have been inundated, over the years, with requests from driving instructors throughout the country who have participated in a Government-sponsored voluntary scheme. They have been left wondering about the future for that voluntary scheme into which they have put considerable effort. At least they have made some effort to regulate themselves. Clearly, I do not consider that self-regulation is the way to go, at least it must be validated in some way by the new authority. Their concerns that there should be absolute quality control and regulation of the sector is a valid point. I am anxious that the authority do this at an early stage. It is part of the broader area of instruction, testing and licensing. Perhaps the authority will, in time, introduce graduated licences and so forth. The standard of those providing instruction must be regulated and instructors must be aware of the standards applied in the new test. For these reasons, I seek to amend the Bill to require quality control for driving instructors.

See this speech in context