Vol. 495 No. 1
48 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19083/98]
61 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19079/98]
63 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19084/98]
77 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19075/98]
95 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19077/98]
96 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19076/98]
98 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19078/98]
99 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19086/98]
106 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors. [19081/98]
107 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19085/98]
112 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19080/98]
114 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to institute a system of mandatory testing and registration of driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19082/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 61, 63, 77, 95, 96, 98, 99, 106, 107, 112 and 114 together.
The Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002 proposes a range of measures designed to improve the formation and training of drivers. These include assisting the driving instructor register towards quality certification; the introduction of a theory test separate from the driving test; the possibility of a new training initiative for motor cyclists and a longer term significant reduction in the number of drivers relying on a provisional licence.
Many driving instructors are currently enrolled under the voluntary driver instructor register which is financially supported by my Department and the Irish Insurance Federation. My Department has offered to provide additional financial assistance to the driver instructor register to enable it to attain an appropriate quality certification so as to further enhance confidence in, and recognition of it.
The new Government strategy acknowledges that arguments have been made for mandatory regulation of driving instruction, but concluded that the voluntary approach should be pursued for the moment.
