Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Transport the range of proposals recently given to him by the Road Safety Authority. [37140/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has recently submitted to me a range of proposals, to further augment road safety initiatives, with a particular focus on licensing reform, and, on targeting drivers between 17 and 24 years old. I equally share the concern of the RSA Board about the high risk factors of death and serious injury to this particular category of drivers. My officials are currently examining these proposals.

I have also recently met with the Chief Executive Officer of the RSA to discuss the proposals. I have now asked that the Authority come back to me as soon as possible with a structured approach to a complete transition, with time lines, from the current regime of provisional licences to a regime of learner permits and restricted category drivers and related learner/driver formation arrangements. I know that such a complete transition will take some time, but I genuinely feel that there is great potential for saving young lives in this approach.