Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2013
16. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the measures being taken to harmonise the penalty points regime on an all-island basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22940/13]
View answer88. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on measures to harmonise the penalty points regime on an all-island basis. [22686/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 88 together.
The work on the mutual recognition of penalty points is focused on the four road traffic offences of speeding, drink/drug driving, non - wearing of seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving. A detailed timetable for the process was agreed last October at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council. It includes the key milestones for the drafting, passage and enactment of the required parallel primary legislation in both jurisdictions by the 31 December 2014 to allow for the introduction of the process across the island of Ireland. Although widely accepted as challenging, officials on both sides are committed to the agreed timetable.
Steering and working groups comprising representatives of the relevant stakeholders in both jurisdictions are continuing to meet to bring the required work forward and decide on how the necessary key deliverables will be achieved legislatively and operationally.
Both groups are confident that, despite the fact that disqualifications arising from the accumulation of penalty points are dealt with differently in both jurisdictions, provision can be made in the required primary legislation to deal with such disqualifications.
To achieve the December 2014 deadline, a significant volume of work is required, including putting in place the necessary administrative arrangements and IT systems and agreement on data sharing protocols and procedures. Complex issues will also have to be addressed in both jurisdictions with a view to establishing a workable system which is perceived as proportionate and equitable and which attracts widespread public support throughout Ireland.
