Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Transport when he will introduce legislation necessary for the proposed graduated driver licence system; the type of GDLS he favours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5828/09]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012 outlines a range of measures to be considered in relation to a Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS). The driver licensing regulations, which were made in October 2007, providing for the introduction of a learner permit to replace the provisional licence and some other measures, were the first step in the introduction of a GDLS. A progressive roll-out of appropriate measures is envisaged as the most practical approach for implementing a GDLS.

On 13 January 2009 the Road Safety Authority (RSA) launched a consultation process on a GDLS and published a consultation paper. This contains a number of possible measures and the RSA also welcomes other suggestions from the public. The consultation process runs until 13 March 2009, following which the RSA will consider responses and bring forward in due course proposals for my consideration. It is too soon to say what the timeframe for that will be or whether new legislation will be required.