Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the ongoing use of mobile phones by motorists in view of the fact that the Road Safety Authority states that using a mobile phone makes a driver four times more likely to crash their car; if he is considering any further measures in conjunction with the RSA to tackle the problem of driving while using a mobile phone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department published a Review of the Penalty Points System in 2012 which recommended a number of adjustments to the current system, including an increase in the number of penalty points for mobile phone offences.  The views of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, and Communications were sought and obtained on the published Review. 

On foot of the published Review and in order to improve driver behaviour in this area, I decided to increase the number of penalty points for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone from 2 to 3 penalty points on the payment of a fixed charge and from 4 to 5 penalty points on conviction in Court.

The Road Traffic Bill 2013 contains the amendment to the existing provision for the increase in the number of penalty points for this offence. 

My Department is also examining, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, whether further legislative provisions are required in relation to the offence of using a mobile phone while driving.