Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if a new proposed credit card style driving licence will be mandatory when introduced next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33461/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under EU Directive 126/2006, all member states are required to introduce a standard format plastic card driving licence by January 2013. Under the terms of the directive, the licence must feature the name and date of birth of the individual, the dates of issue and expiry of the licence, the licence number, and a photo and signature of the holder. The licence must also specify the category or categories of vehicle covered and any restrictions applying such as, for example, the need to wear glasses while driving. There is an option to include the holder's address, which we have chosen not to do, as it would represent a potential security risk and mean reissuing a licence each time a person changed address.

The Road Safety Authority has been tasked with delivering the project to introduce the plastic card licence. I have asked it to expedite this process to ensure the new Irish licence will be introduced in time to meet the requirements of the EU directive. The authority is progressing the project and my Department is maintaining close contact with it to ensure the project will be completed on time.

Once this form of licence is introduced, old-style paper licences will no longer be issued. However, existing paper licences will remain valid until their expiry date. They will be replaced by the new plastic licence as and when they come up for renewal.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I fail to understand why it is not possible to switch those licences that are still valid and replace them with the plastic card when the time arrives. The cost would not be significant and if we want to standardise the licence, making it easier for law enforcement officers on inspection to recognise if someone is disqualified, we should ensure everyone will be issued with the new licence from the date it goes live instead of having a rolling programme under which the old licence will be eliminated over a period of ten years. Those who have had a licence replaced this year will hold it for ten years; therefore, there should be a swapping of licences to standardise them.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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We could do that, although we would need to pass legislation to invalidate the old paper licences from a certain date, but I do not rule it out. The first thing we should do, however, is get the new system up and running and then we can consider making the old licences invalid. The new licence will be so convenient - it will be a standard form of identity recognised across Europe - that many with paper licences will want the card and go ahead and order it. I would be one of those people. Whether we want to compel people to do it by invalidating their licences before the expiry date requires some thought, but the Deputy may wish to table an amendment to the Bill to achieve this if he thinks it is such a good idea.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the introduction of the card, but I was not aware that the licence must mention the need to wear glasses. I do not remember seeing this before. It seems strange that we would include such a detail. For various reasons, a person could be driving without his or her glasses and I do not understand how this provision could be included in the legislation.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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It is included in the existing paper licence. If it is not included in the Deputy's, it should be; it is in mine. It states I must wear corrective lenses. I have since had laser surgery and no longer need them, although I have yet to have my licence amended.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Is there a penalty for not wearing glasses?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I do not know, but I will find out.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I hope there is not.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I hope there is because someone who requires glasses to drive should wear them.