Denis Naughten
Ceist:70 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current delays in issuing penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6726/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 5 May 2004
Ceisteanna (75, 76)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:71 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the delays in issuing penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11016/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together. Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 deals with the notification to licence holders of the endorsement of penalty points. This aspect of the system is a matter for the Minister for Transport rather than the Garda Síochána. The main objective of the penalty points system, and all Garda activity in the area of road safety, is to change road user behaviour through enforcement and surveillance ultimately resulting in a reduction of the numbers killed and injured on our roads. While there is no room for complacency, particularly given the number of tragedies this year, there was a reduction of 36 in the number of road deaths in 2003 compared with 2002.
I am aware that some people have experienced delays. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, the penalty points system is currently operating on a semi-manual basis. This will change later this year when the fixed charge processing system becomes operational. The Deputy will agree that the benefits of the considerable advances in road safety achieved in the period since the introduction of penalty points outweigh the regrettable delays resulting from the operation of the interim manual system. I am satisfied that the role played by the Garda Síochána to date in the introduction and ongoing enforcement of the penalty points has been vital in the progress made.