Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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604. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to sign commencement orders to enact the Road Traffic Act 2014; and if he will provide a specific timeframe of when he expects to enact the specific provisions in respect of changes to the penalty points system and learner and novice drivers. [12022/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am keen to commence the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2014 as soon as possible. I intend to commence most of its provisions from the beginning of April.  Specifically, I am planning to commence sections 3-5, 7-9, and 14-26.  This will include most of the new driver licensing provisions, with the exception of section 6 which provides for the recording of accompanied driving experience in a logbook before learners make take the driving test. Regulations will be required setting out the specific requirements of the logbook before section 6 can be commenced. My Department is currently liaising with the Road Safety Authority regarding the drafting of the necessary Regulations.

With regard to sections10-13, these include the new penalty points provisions, and the new measures to deal with intoxicated driving.  It is necessary to ensure that all of the appropriate administrative and technical issues have been addressed in the relevant organisations - the Road Safety Authority, National Vehicle Driver File, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety and An Garda Síochána - before these sections are commenced.  My Department is in discussion with the organisations involved in this regard and, while  I cannot provide the Deputy with a precise date for commencement of these sections, I intend it to be at the earliest possible date.