Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2014
279. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of unaccompanied learner drivers that have been formally issued with a fine, prison sentence or both in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 in tabular form; and her views on the efficacy of the present enforcement strategies. [47303/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the following table provides details of the number of unaccompanied learner drivers before the courts in 2012, 2013 and to 31 October 2014 who received a fine or an imprisonment.
|
Year |
No of unaccompanied Drivers who received fines |
No of unaccompanied Drivers who received imprisonment |
|
2012 |
674 |
1 |
|
2013 |
660 |
0 |
|
Jan – Oct 2014 |
632 |
2 |
Note: If a person received more than one fine or imprisonment they only appear on the report once. Nobody received both a fine and imprisonment.
Insofar as enforcement strategies with respect to learner drivers are concerned, I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in addition to ongoing road safety enforcement, which focuses on high risk behaviour, 'Operation Learner Driver' is conducted regularly with a particular focus on learner permit holders with a view to ensuring compliance with the conditions of holding such a permit, as well as improved road safety generally. I understand that this operation was conducted on a quarterly basis during 2014 and that targeted enforcement measures with respect to learner drivers will continue to be applied into the future.
