Vol. 407 No. 1
252 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment the number of applicants who are currently awaiting driving tests; and, in order to expedite matters, if he will consider granting full licences to those holding provisional licences over three years.
There are currently some 58,000 applications on hands for driving tests, a reduction of nearly 10,000 on the total last November. I am satisfied that the measures I have taken are satisfactorily dealing with the arrears problem. I do not propose that full licences should be granted to provisional licence holders who have not passed the necessary driving tests. Apart altogether from road safety and other considerations, this would be contrary to the requirements of EC Directive 80/1263 of 4 December 1980, as applied by regulations made under the Road Traffic Acts.
