Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when penalty points for drivers holding a mobile phone while driving will be increased as discussed during the Dáil Éireann debate on the Road Traffic Bill in December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42059/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Using a mobile phone while driving is one of the four main causes of deaths on our roads, together with speeding, intoxicated driving, and non-wearing of seatbelts.  My Department increased the number of penalty points for this offence from 2 to 3 on payment of a fixed charge (and to 5 on conviction) in 2014.   The same year, a new offence was created which means that drivers detected texting while driving now face a mandatory court appearance and fine of up to €1,000, reflecting how dangerous this practice is.

My officials keep penalty points under constant review and I am willing to consider increasing the penalty points further for use of mobile phones and the other most serious killer behaviours on our roads.

However, given recent developments in technology, it is no longer quite as easy to define what behaviour falls within the parameters of the Act. Given the many different uses for phones and the various options for hands-free use of phones, a significant body of work is required to adequately legislate for this behaviour. While I am focused on progressing the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 through the Houses of the Oireachtas, I have also asked my officials to commence work in this area with a view to progressing it in the context of the next Road Traffic Bill.