Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

To answer Senator Burke's question, it will show up on the PULSE system. He will appreciate, however, that if a person who has ten points incurs an additional two points, the garda will not know that immediately because he or she will have to go back to the station and put it into the system. It will be recognised as soon as he or she puts it into the system but it does not mean that the person loses his or her licence on that day. There is a period of 28 days before the notice comes out and it is a number of days after that before the person loses his or her licence. The answer to the question is "Yes".

Senator Quinn's other question is one which has been raised on numerous occasions, namely, the issue of all-Ireland recognition. We are in discussions with the Northern authorities on introducing harmonisation. Ironically, there is no harmonisation between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Senator Wilson is correct that we recognise this, particularly in Border counties, and we are anxious to make progress.

A directive on the mutual recognition of fines is being considered in Europe. Senators are aware that at one of the last European meetings I attended, we made some progress on a European driving licence. It will not happen overnight, as it will have a lead-in period. It will be extremely helpful when that licence is in place. The 25 member states of the EU must decide what information should be held on the microchip. We are making progress but it will take a number of years. The most pertinent issue is what we can do regarding North and South. We recognise that and will try to make progress.