Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Transport when he will act upon the proposals for reform of the regulations which apply to provisional and inexperienced drivers presented to him by the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41739/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to priority questions 1 and 2 on the 2 November in which I indicated that the RSA has submitted to me a range of proposals with a particular focus on licensing reform and on targeting drivers between 17 and 24 years old.

I share the concern of the RSA Board about the high risk factors of death and serious injury to this particular category of drivers. I have 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 time, but that there is great potential for saving young lives in this approach.