I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 50, 59, 61 and 77 together.
The operation of the penalty points system commenced with effect from 31 October 2002 in respect of speeding offences and has subsequently been extended to apply to the offences of driving without insurance, careless driving and offences relating to the non-wearing of seat belts. Since its introduction over 278,700 drivers have incurred penalty points.
Extensive ongoing consultation is taking place between my Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Courts Service and the Garda Síochána, in order to finalise draft regulations and a commencement order for the extension of the fixed charge and the penalty point systems respectively. A meeting of all the agencies involved took place on 17 November.
The extension of the penalty point system to other offences under the Road Traffic Acts will be progressively commenced once the appropriate Garda Síochána IT processing system is fully operational and related administrative supports are in place. The delivery of those measures is a matter for the Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform respectively.
The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Síochána have indicated to my officials that the systems in question will be operational by April next year. I have asked my officials to continue liaising with their colleagues and those agencies, to seek to advance the date of next April if at all possible.
The majority of penalty point offences will also attract fixed charges. Therefore, in addition to the making of orders to facilitate the application of penalty points to offences from a particular commencement date, regulations to extend the operation of the fixed charge system to relevant penalty point offences will also be made. Those regulations will also facilitate the application of the fixed charge system to all of the offences that are currently the subject of the on the spot fine system.