Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the implementation of mutual recognition of penalty points on both sides of the Border; if this scheme will allow for the alternative of attendance at a recognised speed awareness course, as is the practice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to receiving penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52542/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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).  Initially this work involves the mutual recognition of penalty points in each jurisdiction for the road traffic offences of 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 for the drafting, passage and enactment of parallel legislation, North and South, is the 31 December 2014.

Alternative sentencing options that exist in Northern Ireland, in lieu of penalty points, do not form part of the mutual recognition of penalty points project.