Road Traffic Legislation

Thursday, 6 February 2014

Questions (258)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

258. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on his engagements with the Department of Justice and Equality, the Courts Service, the Garda Síochána and others to advance measures to commence section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010. [6041/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Following a request from the Minister for Justice and Equality and I in August 2013, a Penalty Point Working Group was established by the Courts Service to report on, among other issues, the measures to be put in place to enable section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 to be commenced. This section provides for a final option of payment of a fixed charge ("a third payment option") on receipt of a court summons, to avoid the matter going to court. The Group's membership includes representatives from the Courts Service, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Road Safety Authority, and my Department.

The Department of Justice and Equality has recently advised that some technical and administrative measures required to give effect to this section remain to be resolved. As soon as all the necessary measures are in place, I propose to commence section 44.