Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress between the RSA and his Department on action 107 of the road safety strategy 2013 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45223/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA), following a number of years' extensive research, submitted a detailed paper to my Department earlier this year, proposing the introduction of two separate rehabilitation and driving awareness courses targeted specifically at intoxicated drivers, dangerous drivers, repeat offenders, and for learner/novice drivers.

This paper has been under active consideration by my officials for the last number of months. A number of issues remain to be considered, including finding a balance between punishing dangerous and illegal behaviour on the one hand, and rehabilitating offenders and reducing recidivism on the other.

The introduction of these courses as an option for the Courts to use on conviction of a motorist would involve a change to primary road traffic legislation, and this will only be considered following legal advice.