Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will give an update on the process of mutual recognition of penalty points across the EU; the proposals he has put forward to his EU colleagues in this regard; if he is proposing any further reform of the National Vehicle Driver File in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31146/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There is no process for the mutual recognition of penalty points across the EU at present. There is no agreed international framework dealing with the recognition of penalty points for driving offences and a very significant volume of work needs to be done, including the provision of an appropriate framework of law and international agreement.

A proposal for a Directive on enforcement in the field of road safety was discussed at Council Working Group level in 2008. This proposal did not relate to the mutual recognition of penalty points across the EU. The Council concluded, after having discussed the proposed Directive it was clear that "a significant number of Member States expressed doubts as to the appropriateness of the legal basis chosen by the Commission for its proposal".

The Belgian Presidency of the EU recently published proposals to re - examine the draft Directive. These proposals are under consideration in my Department.