Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to contact me with information on how many penalty points have not been recorded on the national vehicle driver file as a result of the non-production of a driving licence, which is a scandal that has been ongoing for some time. In September last, the Minister informed me he would have a report on the implementation of section 63 Road Traffic Act 2010 by the end of November 2012. He subsequently stated the report would not be available until July 2013. What is the reason for this delay? Why can the information not be provided as soon as possible?

Has the Department of Justice and Equality made an effort to observe court proceedings, as the PARC group has done? PARC, a group of citizens who are making a social contribution by doing this work, sent a detailed submission on this matter to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, a few days ago and is seeking a prompt reply.

Similar problems to those I have described arise when drivers are disqualified in court for serious or repeat driving offences. In such circumstances, the driver sends his or her licence to the local motor tax office. Surely it would be better to produce the licence again in court?

The failure to implement section 63 is a huge waste of Garda resources. Gardaí do excellent work in bringing to court drivers who commit road traffic offences. While sanctions are applied, the courts system has let us down. Surely there is a case to answer in this regard in light of current controversies surrounding the operation of the Garda Síochána?

On the issue of insurance, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has indicated he will make the database containing information on penalty points available to insurance companies. Is this proposal not highly unfair, especially to drivers in regions where penalty points have been implemented given that it appears that drivers in some areas did not receive penalty points despite having committed offences? The Minister must examine this aspect of his proposal as it is grossly unfair.

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