Road Traffic Act 2006.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 April 2007

Tuesday, 3 April 2007

Questions (79, 80)

Seán Ryan

Question:

96 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the ongoing delay in commencing fully the Road Traffic Act 2006. [12672/07]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

145 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the aspects of the Road Traffic Bill 2006 which have not yet been implemented; the functions and implications of these unimplemented provisions; when each one will take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12746/07]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 145 together.

All sections of the Road Traffic Act 2006 have now been commenced with the exception of Sections 5, 10, 11, 13 and 16. The provisions in relation to Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) checkpoints were commenced last year, and approximately 30,000 Mandatory Alcohol Tests are being conducted by the Gardai every month.

Sections 5 and 16 which relate to Fixed Charge and Disqualification for certain drink driving offences and Penalty Point Offences (other than the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone), require a considerable amount of work to be carried out on Garda IT systems. Work is progressing in these areas.

Sections 10, 11 and 13 relate to driving licences, learner permits and certificates of competency and fitness requirement to carry a driving licence while driving a vehicle. These provisions will be commenced shortly, in the context of a phased transition from provisional licences to a completely different approach to driver training and licensing.