Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004
67 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform regarding the computerised penalty points system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20307/04]
View answer91 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport when the full penalty points system will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20411/04]
View answer108 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to review the penalty points system. [20300/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 91 and 108 together.
Penalty points are being applied to the driving licence records of those convicted of speeding, seat belt wearing and insurance offences, and to those who pay a fixed charge to the gardaí in the case of speeding and seat belt wearing offences in order to prevent the instigation of court proceedings.
Penalty points for careless driving were introduced with effect from 4 June 2004. This measure should have a further positive influence on the driving behaviour of those who have little regard for their own safety and the safety of other road users.
The full application of the penalty points system will be achieved when the relevant IT systems being developed by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda are completed. I am assured by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, that the systems in question will be operational by the end of this year. The question of reviewing the system will be considered against the background of its full operation.
It is now one year and eight months since penalty points were first introduced. At 30 June 2004, more than 153,000 drivers had received penalty points since the introduction of the system in October 2002, including three drivers who have reached the 12 point threshold which leads to automatic disqualification.
