Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the graduated driving licence scheme; when he will publish the legislation necessary to implement the full GDLS; the reason there has been a delay in rolling out this road safety measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28390/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath 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. This consultation process has now been completed and the RSA is considering responses. Proposals will be submitted in due course for my consideration. It is too soon to say what the timeframe for that will be or whether new legislation will be required.