Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The focus in amendment No. 7 was on drivers on a learner permit driving unaccompanied, which is the key point, and the problem that some insurance companies are counter suing when the terms and conditions of the policies have not been met. They would often be on their parents' policies for the reasons mentioned by a previous speaker. The insurance companies would appear to be doing this quietly but it is an area that may need to be examined in the future. I will withdraw that amendment.

In amendment No. 12, I was seeking to strengthen the powers of An Garda Síochána where an unaccompanied learner is stopped. There seems to be a lacuna in the legislation in that gardaí cannot simply seize the car or ask for somebody with a driving licence to take the car back to where it is based. Again, the law is weak in that regard. I refer to the situation mentioned earlier. Where an unaccompanied learner arrives at a test centre, what does the Road Safety Authority do in those circumstances? In a reply to a question I asked, they said it was not a matter for them and that it was a matter for An Garda Síochána, but it is part of their remit as an agency. I ask the Minister to consider amendment No. 12, but I will withdraw amendment No. 7.

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