Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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977. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the analysis his Department has undertaken to investigate the disproportionate impact that will be felt by learner drivers in rural Ireland who must comply with new penalty points regulations; his views on introducing discretionary measures for such drivers in view of the increased likelihood of an adverse social impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49474/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The changes introduced last month, to which the Deputy refers, do not involve the creation of any new offences.  There has been no change in the legal obligations of learner or other drivers.

Since the learner permit was created, it has always been an offence to drive without an L-Plate and without an accompanying driver.  These are conditions of the learner permit, and must be complied with for a learner to drive using their permit.  What has changed as of 8 December 2014 is that there are now penalty points for driving without an L-plate, and for driving unaccompanied while on a learner permit.

The purpose of the introduction of these penalty points is to improve road safety and save lives, and to reduce the number of collisions, deaths and injuries among inexperienced drivers.

My overriding consideration must always be safety, for learners themselves and for all other road users.