Road Traffic Offences

Thursday, 12 July 2012

Questions (183)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

186 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the necessary arrangements are now in place in every court to ensure that summonses issued from 16 May 2012 onwards have been amended to advise persons charged with an offence under the Road Traffic Acts to bring their driving licence and a copy of the licence to court with them; if he will confirm that court clerks are now recording the details of licence and the details of the licence or permit and that the copy of the licence or permit have been produced as is law now since October 2011; if same is not taking place in every court, the deadline for the full closure of this loophole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34151/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Courts Service has confirmed that the necessary arrangements are in place to ensure that summonses issued since 16 May 2012 include wording to advise persons charged with an offence under the Road Traffic Acts to bring their driving licence with them, together with a photocopy of the licence, when they are attending court.

As the Deputy is aware the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of proceedings within the courtroom is a matter for the presiding judge. However, the Service has confirmed that all judges of the District Court have been asked to facilitate arrangements for the collection and recording of driving licence details where a driving licence or copy thereof is produced to the court. The Service has also indicated that the Court Registrar will record details of the licence to facilitate the application of the appropriate penalty points. Legislation in relation to the Road Traffic Acts is, of course, a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.