Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 1007: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that it is fair to impose penalty points on a person caught driving a car with a bulb blown as the driver may have started their journey with all lights working and a bulb could blow without their knowledge, they could then face prosecution and worse penalty points being put on their licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1388/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Driving a mechanically propelled vehicle at dusk, in adverse weather conditions and at night with defective lights is a significant road safety issue. The offence of driving a mechanically propelled vehicle with defective lights has been provided in road traffic legislation dating back to 1963 and is currently dealt with by way of summons to court. A maximum fine of €1,000 and/or three months imprisonment applies in respect of a first conviction.

While the 2002 Road Traffic Act brought the offence within the Penalty Point and Fixed Charge Systems, the relevant provisions have not been commenced to date. It is my intention to examine all penalty point and fixed charge notice offences listed in the 2002 Act but not yet commenced with a view to introducing a number of them this year. In this context, I will consider the appropriate level of points and fixed charge to be applied for each offence.

I am sure that the Deputy will agree that in relation to road safety offences, it is more efficient for members of the public, the Courts Services and An Garda Síochána that, where possible, such offences are dealt with through a penalty point and fixed charge notice system, rather than through the Courts.