Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of times he is briefed by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety; his views on recent submissions by the MBRS to increase the funding of programmes to monitor and detect drug drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46364/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have visited the Bureau on two occasions this year, most recently at the official opening of their state of the art facilities at UCD Belfield, and my officials are in regular contact with management and staff on a range of issues. My Department is represented on the Board of the Bureau and this mechanism also facilitates good communication between both organisations.

It is a function of the Bureau to undertake research on drink and drug driving and to keep abreast of international developments in these areas, and the Bureau provides information and advice on these matters to my Department.

Funding of €4.4 million was provided for the Bureau this year, and my Department will endeavour, in these challenging times, to ensure a reasonable level of funding for the Bureau for 2009.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to reform the penalty points system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46383/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Penalty points were first applied in October 2002 to the offence of speeding and have been rolled out in stages between then and September 2006 in respect of a total of 36 offences. The focus of the roll-out of the penalty points system to date has been on road safety critical offences that relate primarily to the behaviour of drivers.

The progressive extension of the penalty point system will continue to be pursued and the system is being kept under review.