Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Transport the outcome of the British-Irish transport ministerial meeting on 9 February 2006; the progress made on the mutual recognition of penalty points and driver disqualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5797/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The ministerial meeting of the transport sectoral group of the British-Irish Council on 9 February 2006 reviewed progress to date on the group's work programme. Following the meeting I exchanged letters with the UK Minister of State for Transport in which we agreed to enter into bilateral arrangements on the mutual recognition of driving disqualifications as envisaged in the EU Convention on Driving Disqualifications, 98/C 216/01, in advance of the convention fully coming into force. Officials are now working towards introducing a bilateral agreement between the UK and Ireland later this year. The proposed agreement will allow the relevant administrations to recognise and take action on driving disqualifications occurring in the other jurisdiction.

Mutual recognition of driving disqualifications will tackle the most serious motoring offences. However, it was also agreed that officials should examine the prospects for greater co-operation in the treatment of other road traffic infringements the penalty for which falls short of disqualification. It was agreed that officials report back by the end of May, with a view to undertaking a study of the practical feasibility of co-operation on lesser road traffic infringements.