Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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1017. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend legislation to include driving while disqualified as an offence leading to the application of penalty points, as in Northern Ireland, where a driver receives six penalty points for driving while disqualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20281/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​It is already an offence to drive while disqualified, under section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.  This section makes it an offence to drive without a licence which is in effect at the time entitling the holder to drive the vehicle in question. A person convicted of driving while disqualified is liable to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.

Section 6 (c) of the Road Traffic Act 2014 amends section 38 of the 1961 to allow that a Member of An Garda Síochána may arrest without warrant a person who, in the opinion of the Member, is in breach of section 38 and is disqualified.  My officials are currently liaising with An Garda Síochána with a view to commencing this provision as soon as possible.

I have no plans to introduce penalty points for driving while disqualified.