Written answers

Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Driving Licence Issues

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40104/12]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under EU rules, Member States are required to move to a plastic card driver licence commencing in 2013.  There has been widespread support for this move.  The new format of licence will be more convenient to carry than the current laminated paper licence, and also more durable.

In parallel with this change, we are also moving from a system in which driving licences are issued through the Local Authorities to a system in which the Road Safety Authority (RSA) will be the sole national driver licensing authority.  The recently passed Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 includes provisions to make the RSA the national driver licensing authority.

The new system will come on stream during 2013.  It will involve three outsourced elements, a card production facility, a front office for engaging with the customer, and a back office to process applications.  This system will be overseen by a unit based in the RSA itself. I understand that the RSA intend to ask tenderers for the front office service to offer their own proposals for the capture of photo ID.  The matter of what kind of photo ID is therefore not predetermined.

As in any outsourcing process, the RSA must follow public procurement rules.  As a general principle, state agencies are expected to find the most cost-efficient way of doing business in order to deliver maximum value for money for the public.  I do not see in this context that we can require an agency to design a tendering process to suit a particular industry.  However, as I have indicated, nothing has been predetermined in terms of what kind of photo-capture will be involved in the new system.

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