Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
1585. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the possible introduction of speed awareness courses for first time offenders; if primary legislation will be necessary or if the measures could be achieved through regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32317/15]
View answer1669. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he and his Department are considering the introduction of speed awareness courses; if there is an indicative timeframe for the introduction of such an initiative which works very successfully in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32316/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1585 and 1669 together.
Action 107 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 states that, subject to legal advice, my Department should, with the support of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Department of Justice and Equality, legislate for rehabilitation and driving awareness courses as court-based sentencing options for specific offenders, which should then be implemented.
The RSA is developing proposals on this Action at present and I am awaiting the conclusions before considering what steps might then be taken. The idea behind alternative sentencing is to explore more effective ways of dealing with repeat offenders, but not with very serious offences such as dangerous driving causing death, where prison could still be the appropriate penalty. It is likely that these courses, if introduced in the future, would be in addition to, and not in place of, the allocation of penalty points.
