Vol. 573 No. 5
153 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport his views on a recent report by the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body on the issue of mutual recognition of the penalty points system between Northern Ireland and the Republic; his actions to advance the recommendations contained with the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25978/03]
I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 275 of 5 November 2003, as follows. Penalty point systems are now operating in this country, Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The authorities in all three jurisdictions are actively considering the issue of the introduction of a scheme to provide for the mutual recognition of penalty points between the United Kingdom and Ireland. This consideration is being pursued under the auspices of the British-Irish Council. One of the first matters that will need to be addressed before full mutual recognition can be realised will be the introduction of bilateral recognition of the separate penalty points systems operating in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
