Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 170: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a European Commission draft directive on facilitating the cross border exchange of information on road safety related traffic offences that is due to be voted on 6 July 2011; if he is considering opting out of this directive; the reasons Ireland will not adopt this proposed life-saving directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19041/11]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 171: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in the context of the proposed European Commission draft directive on facilitating the cross border exchange of information on road safety related traffic offences, if he has compiled any information on the percentage of Irish licence holders abroad and foreign licence holders here who have been involved in serious and fatal collisions, been convicted of a dangerous driving offence, escaped prosecution or penalty points because they held a licence from outside the jurisdiction from where the offence took place; if he and his colleagues across the EU are considering any measures apart from the draft directive on the exchange of information to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19042/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Question Nos. 170 and 171 together.

Ireland acknowledges the considerable achievement by all concerned in moving this dossier forward, through detailed examination of the text and engagement in developing and putting forward compromise proposals. While the statistics referred to by the Deputy are not available, we believe that, besides facilitating the administration of penalties, the measure should also induce more cautious driving behaviour by raising awareness among drivers of the rules applied in other Member States and the consequences of breaking those rules.

The proposed Directive is to be made under Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) – Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. Measures adopted under this Title are subject to Protocol (No.21) on the position of Ireland and the UK, in respect of the area of Freedom, Security and Justice, which exempts Ireland from their application.

Ireland was not in a position to opt into the proposed Directive, under the terms of Protocol (No. 21), prior to the expiry of the three month deadline pursuant to Title V, due to the dissolution of the last Dáil and the General Election. The terms of the Directive were agreed in December last and approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas is required for opting-in within the three month period.

I will, however, give careful consideration to opting into the completed measure subsequent to its adoption. A decision to opt in at that time will be referred for approval to both Houses of the Oireachtas.