Catherine Murphy
Question:
762. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons sanctioned by An Garda Síochána for driving on a road designated as a motorway while on a learner permit in the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18110/20]
View answer
The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.
I have requested information from An Garda Síochána on the matter raised and will write directly to the Deputy when it is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question No 762 which was for answer on the 28 July 2020 where you asked the number of persons sanctioned by An Garda Síochána for driving on a road designated as motorway while on a learner permit in the past five years to date.
As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again when the information was to hand.
The requested information has now been responded to by An Garda Síochána and accordingly, please note the following;
As you are aware all learner drivers must be accompanied by a qualified driver (a person who holds a full driving licence in the Category for a minimum of 2 years) at all times while driving on a learners permit.
When an individual is caught driving unaccompanied on a learners permit, the driver’s vehicle may be impounded and 2 penalty points are applied to their licence; a fixed charge of €80 is also incurred which must be paid within 28 days. If the individual fails to pay within 56 days, a fixed charge of €120 is then incurred. If convicted in Court, 4 penalty points apply together with a fixed charge of €120.
In cases where the vehicle belongs to another party, the vehicle owner may face a fine of up to €1000 and the vehicle may also be impounded.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of summonses issued for driving on a road designated as motorway while on a learner permit in the past five years to date is 106. The table attached sets out the breakdown per annual from 2015 up to 30 June 2020 as provided to me by the Garda authorities.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Appendix:
Number of Summons issued from 2015 up to 30 June 2020 provided by An Garda Síochána
Driving on a road designated as motorway while on a learner permit
|
Year
|
Number of Summonses Issued
|
|
2015
|
28
|
|
2016
|
18
|
|
2017
|
16
|
|
2018
|
20
|
|
2019
|
17
|
|
Up to 30 June 2020
|
7
|
|
Total
|
106
|
