Darren O'Rourke
Question:261. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when each remaining section of the Road Traffic Act 2016 will come into force. [1886/22]
View answerWednesday, 19 January 2022
Questions (261)
Written answers
The Road Traffic Act 2016, like many Road Traffic Acts, addressed a range of matters. Many of the most significant, in particular the provisions relating to intoxicated driving, have been commenced. However, a number of provisions have not yet been commenced, and I am happy to set out the position in relation to these provisions.
Sections 3 to 6 of the 2016 Act relate to the creation of records of written-off vehicles. These have not been commenced to date due to administrative issues, and also due to the need to update the definition of 'vehicle insurer' in the Road Traffic Acts. An update to that definition is included in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, currently before the Dáil.
Section 30 was partially commenced, except insofar as it relates to section 78A(1A)(g) of the Road Traffic Act 1961. That provision requires further amendment before commencement, and this is addressed in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021.
Section 31 amends the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, but this matter has been subject to further consideration. My Department is currently undertaking a process of stakeholder consultation on proposals for the regulation of Horse Drawn Carriages and, once this process is completed, I will be seeking approval from Government to publish the finalised General Scheme without delay.
Sections 34 and 35 make a number of small changes to penalty points. Commencement will be considered in due course.
Section 36(a)-(c) represent small technical changes to Part 3 of the Road Traffic Act 2010. Part 3 was commenced in 2017, but on reflection it was not deemed essential to commence these additional small changes. There are no plans to do so at present.
Section 38 amended section 50 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, which proposed a 'payment deposit scheme' in cases of traffic offences by out of state drivers. It is not intended to proceed with this scheme due to legal issues, and there are therefore no plans to commence this section or section 50 of the 2010 Act.
Finally, the Deputy may wish to note that section 39 of the Act was repealed and replaced by the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018.