Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We discussed this on Committee Stage. I appreciate Senator Burke's concern that licence holders may not be aware that their licence has expired. He referred to the fact that motor tax reminders are issued by licensing authorities and suggested that driving licence reminders should also issue. Motor tax reminders are issued from the vehicle registration unit of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on behalf of licensing authorities. Arrangements are being made for driving licence renewal notices to be issued in the same way.

However, with regard to the proposed amendment, my main concern is that it would allow any person who had let his or her licence lapse to plead that he or she had not received a renewal notice. This would weaken the provision considerably and make the offence virtually impossible to prosecute. Another effect of the amendment — which I am sure is unintentional on the part of Senator Paddy Burke — is that it removes the offence in paragraph (a)(ii) which applies where a licence has expired for more than 12 months. A fine of €2,000 and penalty points apply.

I am satisfied the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is putting in place a system whereby renewal notices will be issued in the same way as motor tax reminders. I take the opportunity of this forum to remind the only group I believe may have difficulty in this regard, those changing address, that they have the obligation to advise the local authority of so doing. If they do that, there is no major disadvantage.