Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Transport if the Road Traffic Act 2010 is being implemented in terms of the requirement of drivers who have been charged with penalty points offences to present their licence to the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41860/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Traffic Act 2002, as amended, currently provides that a person who is alleged to have committed an offence under the Road Traffic Acts must produce their driving licence to the Court. The 2002 Act also provides that the Court shall record whether or not the licence has been produced. Issues relating to the application of these provisions were identified during the very extensive discussions that preceded the drafting of the Road Traffic Act 2010. Consequently, Section 63 of the 2010 Act establishes a requirement to produce both a driver licence and a copy of the licence to the Court. This will further assist administrative procedures in the Courts and the application of any penalty points to the appropriate driver licence record.

The provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2010 will come into force through the making of a series of Commencement Orders. One such Order (S.I. No. 394 of 2010) has been made to date. The remaining sections, including section 63, of the legislation will come into force when the necessary and relevant operational and administrative supports are in place. It is anticipated that section 63 will be commenced in the near future.