Ray Butler (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise today the new rules for learner drivers that were brought in at the start of the year. This has had a huge effect on young people in rural Ireland. To expect to have a qualified driver sitting beside a young person 24 hours of the day, going to and coming from work, is absolutely ridiculous. I have been speaking to employers, where young people are not able to get to work, and have basically given up their jobs. In England, there is a system where there are learner driver centres. One does a course for between 14 to 15 hours after which one is then given a permit that entitles a person to go on the road as a learner driver. We should look at that system here in Ireland. It would create employment. If there was one such centre in every county in Ireland to facilitate young people, it would be a huge help and would create employment in the area. The Minister has rushed this in and very little thought was put into it. In principle, I suppose it is a good idea but I saw a young person driving alone this morning with L-plates on display, while unaccompanied by a qualified driver. We should ask the Minister to come into the House and for consideration of this issue because of the enormous effect it is having on young people who are trying to get work in rural Ireland.