Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the time-frame set down by the North South Ministerial Council to harmonise penalty points on a cross border basis. [45139/12]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a timeframe for the harmonisation of penalty points with Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44948/12]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the harmonisation of penalty points with Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44938/12]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 40 and 51 together.

The mutual recognition of penalty points between Ireland and Northern Ireland is being dealt with under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). This work involves the mutual recognition, rather than harmonisation, of certain road traffic offences, along with the penalty points associated with those offences in each jurisdiction. Harmonisation would be a much more complex issue to address and is not envisaged at this time.

It was agreed at the NSMC Transport Sectoral meeting on 21 October 2011 that officials would work together to bring forward proposals for the introduction of the mutual recognition of penalty points for speeding, drink/drug driving, non-wearing of seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving. 

The detailed timetable agreed at the North South Ministerial Council Meeting held on 5 October 2012 includes the key milestones for the drafting, passage and enactment of parallel legislation, North and South, by 31 December 2014 to allow for the mutual recognition of penalty points across the island of Ireland.

Steering and working groups, comprising of representatives of the relevant stakeholders in both jurisdictions, have been established to bring the required work forward and decide on how the necessary key deliverables will be achieved legislatively and operationally.  Both groups have met on a number of occasions to date.  

To achieve the December 2014 deadline, a significant volume of work will be required, including putting in place the necessary administrative arrangements and IT systems and agreement on data sharing protocols and procedures.  In taking the work forward, complex issues need to be addressed by the two jurisdictions with a view to establishing a workable system which is perceived as proportionate and equitable and which attracts widespread public support throughout the island.