Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made in relation to the introduction of the new credit card sized driving licence; when he expects its introduction to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32051/12]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made on the legislative and practical changes which have to be implemented to facilitate credit card sized driving licences; when such licences will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31949/12]

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding his plans for the introduction of the credit card sized plastic driving licence. [31977/12]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 709: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the introduction of the credit card sized, plastic driving licence; if he will outline the engagement he has had to date with the relevant stakeholders concerning the proposed project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31849/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 131, 141 and 709 together.

The introduction of a plastic, credit-card style, driving licence from January 2013 is a requirement under EU legislation, and Ireland is on course to introduce it on time. Following from a decision of this Government in May of 2011, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) was given responsibility for this project. At the same time, the Government decided in the interests of efficiency and best use of resources that the system for issuing driver licences, currently diffused through the local authorities, should be centralised in the RSA. Legislation to make the RSA the national driver licensing authority was recently passed by the Oireachtas.

My Department has been working closely with the RSA and other key stakeholders to ensure both the timely delivery of the new format of licence and a smooth transition to the new centralised driver licensing system. A group consisting of representatives of my Department, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and the City and County Managers Association, as well as the RSA, has been monitoring and facilitating progress to ensure that both the plastic licence and centralised driver licensing systems proceed as planned.