Vol. 568 No. 1
628 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce interim regulations for provisional licences; when he intends to include the use of a provisional licence in conjunction with a full licence holder on the penalty points scheme; when the changes for the second provisional licence will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15859/03]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to question No. 150 of 21 May 2003 regarding the provisional licence system. Penalty points for speeding have been operating since 31 October 2002. Penalty points are being applied to the driving licence records of those convicted of speeding offences and to those who pay a fixed charge to the Garda in order to prevent the instigation of court proceedings.
I have signed the order providing for the introduction of penalty points for driving without insurance with effect from 1 June 2003. I am also in consultation with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda for the purpose of applying the system to seat belt offences committed by drivers. The extension of the operation of the penalty points system to all of the offences listed in the First Schedule of the Act will be pursued with a view to applying the penalty points system fully by mid-2004, when the necessary Garda computer system should be ready.
Question No. 629 answered with Question No. 620.
