Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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102. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she will take to reduce the incidence of learner drivers driving unaccompanied; if she is satisfied with the current capacity of An Garda Síochána to enforce this requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16345/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that road traffic legislation is the responsibility of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, T.D. Under this legislation, it is an offence for a learner permit holder to drive unaccompanied by a qualified person, for which the learner permit holder will be issued with a Fixed Charge Notice, which, on payment, will result in a minimum of 2 penalty points increasing to 4 penalty points on conviction.

There is a continuing problem with learner drivers who persist in driving unaccompanied despite this practice being illegal. Section 39 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 amends the Road Traffic Act 1961, making it an offence for the owner of a vehicle to allow their vehicle be driven by a learner driver driving unaccompanied. The section has yet to be commenced. The question of responsibility regarding owners who knowingly allow learners to drive their cars unaccompanied was highlighted during the passage of the 2016 Act through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Minister Ross accepted an amendment proposed to the Bill by Deputy Munster with regard to unaccompanied learner drivers so that people who knowingly facilitate this offence can be prosecuted. Section 39 has yet to be commenced.

The Deputy will appreciate that road traffic enforcement is an operational matter and, as such, is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. I am advised that An Garda Síochána's Roads Policing Operations Plan 2017 incorporates a programme of high visibility road safety and enforcement operations, carried out in partnership with other state agencies. The focus of the Roads Policing Operations Plan for 2017 is on the most vulnerable road user categories, including learner permit holders.

Garda operations specifically target road use behaviour known to contribute significantly to collisions, including speeding. Road traffic legislation is also enforced as part of the day to day duties of members of An Garda Síochána. Both targeted and general methods of enforcement have a valuable role to play in An Garda Síochána's enforcement programme, which targets locations with a view to preventing the commission of offences, detecting errant motorists, changing their behaviour and ultimately reducing death and injuries on our roads.

An Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 also sets out key strategic objectives for Roads Policing which will inform and guide An Garda Síochána’s Road Policing plans over the 5 years. The Deputy is no doubt aware of the significant investment in Garda resources currently underway. This investment is closely associated with delivery on the Modernisation and Renewal Programme.