Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, there is a real and continuing problem of learners who persist in driving unaccompanied. The question of the responsibility of car owners who knowingly allow learners to drive their cars was raised recently by the family of Geraldine and Louise Clancy, who were tragically killed in an incident for which an unaccompanied learner driver was found responsible. I have given some thought to this and I agree that there ought to be a legal responsibility for owners in such cases. Learners who drive unaccompanied are committing an offence, and it is very reasonable that people who knowingly facilitate this offence share responsibility for it. On consideration, I believe amendment No. 11, in the name of Deputy Munster - I acknowledge that Deputy Ryan tabled a similar amendment - is preferable in that it reflects the language used in existing road traffic legislation and is therefore less likely to be challenged.

I will continue this discussion at a later date.

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