In April last, I received a letter from the Secretary of the Approved Driver Instructor Register (AIDR) requesting me to receive a deputation to discuss driver training and various road safety issues. A few days later, I received representations on behalf of persons who were endeavouring to have an Approved Driver Instructor Register compiled.
On 14 May, I replied to the representations to the effect that officials of my Department had recently met a delegation from the Motor Schools Association of Ireland for a discussion relating to an approved register. In the course of this discussion, the delegation from the association submitted a framework for a scheme of this nature. In the circumstances, I considered that a further meeting did not seem to be warranted at that stage.
Since then, the secretary of the AIDR has requested me to reconsider his request. Because of pressure of parliamentary and other ministerial business, I regret that I am unable to meet representatives of AIDR at this stage. I have, however, requested officials of the Department to make arrangements to meet these representatives.