Vol. 523 No. 2
172 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the situation in relation to motorcycle driver testing, if the Government has implemented the second EU driving directive in this regard; the steps the Government is taking to ensure that motorcycle instructors are adequately trained and made available nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20849/00]
The requirements of EU Directive 91/439/EEC in relation to the test of skills and behaviour for motorcyclists have been transposed into national law by the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1999.
As regards motorcycle instruction, my Department is supporting an initiative by the Irish Motorcycle Action Group (MAG Ireland) to establish a network of motorcycle instructors, under the auspices of the Irish Rider Training Association, for the purpose of providing initial practical training for motorcyclists before they go on the public road. I understand that to date nine persons have been certified by the IRTA as instructors and a further 41 persons are at various stages of the certification process.
