Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 69: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the banning of unaccompanied driving by holders of provisional licences and the licence categories this will apply to. [21963/06]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 70: To ask the Minister for Transport the proposals to reform the existing driving test and the driver licensing system; when such reforms will come into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21929/06]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 103: To ask the Minister for Transport his proposal for graduated driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21943/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 70 and 103 together.

The Road Traffic Bill 2006 contains provisions to enable the reform of the driver licensing regime to discourage long term reliance on provisional licences. The implementation of any such licensing reforms is dependent on the current unacceptable driver testing backlog being cleared.

The Road Safety Authority will be examining the driver licensing and testing system and will make recommendations as to what further reforms might be introduced in the interests of road safety.

I should point out that at present provisional licence holders are generally required to be accompanied by and under the supervision of a person qualified to drive the category of vehicle being driven. The only exception to this is where the driver holds a second provisional licence in respect of a car or is the holder of a provisional licence to drive motorcycles or tractors/work vehicles.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 71: To ask the Minister for Transport if there have been impediments to the introduction of the new 30 km/h speed limits in designated areas here; and if his attention has been drawn to the application of this speed limit in any local authority area to date. [21890/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The application of a special speed limit at any location in lieu of a default speed limit is a matter for the individual city councils or county councils through the making of special speed limit bye-laws.

I issued guidelines in April 2005 on the application of special speed limits and the local councils, when proposing to apply a special speed limit of 30 km/h, must only do so in accordance with those guidelines. There is no indication of any impediments being encountered in relation to the policy framework contained in the 2004 Act. I do not have details in relation to the application of special speed limits of 30 km/h as they arise across the country.