Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - Road Safety.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

324 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to address the number of motorbike drivers on provisional licences; the current numbers on full and provisional licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23879/03]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

325 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to introduce compulsory motorcycle testing for all drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23880/03]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

326 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the current standards for motorbike instructors; the plans he has to review that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23881/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 to 326, inclusive, together.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government holds and administers the national driver file licence records, and I have asked that Department for the statistics which the Deputy has requested in relation to the current number of motorcycle drivers on full and provisional licences.

It is already a requirement that applicants for a motorcycle driving licence must have successfully undergone the driving test. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 80 on 5 February 2003, which refers,inter alia, to the fact that driver formation has, in accordance with the Government's strategy for road safety 1998-2002, been assisted in a number of ways, including the introduction of a driver theory test for applicants for first provisional licences, support for the voluntary driving instructor register and support for an initiative by the Irish Motorcyclists Action Group to establish a network of motorcycle instructors throughout the country.

A new road safety strategy to chart government policy for the years ahead is being prepared, and policy in relation to instruction standards, driver training and licensing, including initial basic training for motorcyclists will be considered in that context.