Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 244: To ask the Minister for Transport the way the new protocol on mutual recognition of disqualified drivers between Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain will operate; the starting date of same; the system that will provide the authorities in all three jurisdictions with the information that a motorist has been disqualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29047/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Details of an agreement for the mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain were announced on the 26th of June this year.

The agreement will be within the framework established by the 1998 Convention on Driving Disqualifications. I believe that this will be the first such instance of international cooperation within that framework.

In 1998, the UK and Ireland along with all thirteen (at the time) other EU Member States of the European Union signed the international Convention on driving disqualification (98/C 216/01). The Convention intends to ensure that drivers disqualified from driving in a Member State other than their normal place of residence should not, on their return home, escape the consequences of that disqualification.

The Convention provides for six agreed kinds of conduct which will be internationally recognised for the purposes of driving disqualification. The Convention automatically comes into force across all Member States only when all signatory States have ratified it. However, the Convention allows one EU Member State to recognise another's driving disqualifications before all Member States have ratified.

The agreed behaviours covered by the 1998 Convention include: reckless or dangerous driving; hit-and-run driving; driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs; speeding; and driving whilst disqualified.

Ireland and the UK and have already implemented the necessary primary legislation to allow for ratification (in the UK through the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003, and in Ireland under the Road Traffic Act 2002).

The agreement should see mutual recognition of disqualifications between the three administrations in place by Spring 2009. Discussions on the practical arrangements for implementation are continuing between the police, Court services and the licensing authorities in the different jurisdictions.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 245: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of categories of penalty points that have not come into operation; the target deadline for the operation of each category of penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29048/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Road Traffic Act, 2002, which is the legislative basis for the system of penalty points, sets out an extensive list of offences, which may attract penalty points under the Act.

The focus of the roll-out of the penalty points system from 2002 to date is on offences that relate primarily to the behaviour of drivers. The remaining offences to which the penalty point system may be applied relate primarily to offences relating to vehicles and their use, lighting of vehicles and the licensing of drivers.

The offences concerned are those listed in the First Schedule to the 2002 Act (as amended in the Road Traffic Acts of 2004 and 2006) at reference numbers 1 to 6, 10 and 16 as per Part 1, the offences at reference numbers 1 to 14 as per Part 2, the offences at reference numbers 1 to 6 as per Part 3, the offence at reference number 1 as per Part 5, the offence at reference number 1 as per Part 6, the offences at reference numbers 1 to 6 as per Part 7 and the offence at reference number 1 as per Part 8.

The penalty point system applies to 36 offences at present. The progressive extension of the penalty point system will continue to be pursued but I have no definitive timeframe in mind at this point in relation to the remaining offences.