Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy knows my general position on the matter. I do not disagree with her. The Deputy knows I have asked the road safety authority to consider this area. I reiterate that the courts have the power to require a person disqualified under a consequential order to obtain a certificate of competency by successfully undergoing the driving test as a prerequisite to having the driving licence restored. I am not sure they exercise that power very often. The conditions attached to a learner permit, including when a learner has become disqualified, are also set out in the regulation. I accept what the Deputy says. In general much of this is not enforced, which is unacceptable. We need a new regime that will meet the requirements of competency, efficiency and delivery of good standard in good time when people want it. I will not accept the Deputy's amendment, which is premature.

See this speech in context