Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012
503 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of learner drivers that have been summoned to court on a second offence of driving unaccompanied to date; the number of those that have received a fine; the average fine and the number that have received the maximum fine of €2,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29327/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of statistics. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that statistics are not maintained on the number of learner drivers summoned in respect of a second offence of driving unaccompanied as there is no separate charge of that nature under the legislation.
Road traffic legislation, which is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, provides that a learner driver must be accompanied at all times and the offence is for a learner driver to drive a vehicle while unaccompanied by a holder of a full licence. The penalty which can be imposed under the Road Traffic Acts is tiered depending on whether it is a first offence or second or third subsequent offence. Information regarding whether there were previous offences would be conveyed to the court by the Gardaí and the court is, subject only to the constitution and the law, independent in matters of sentencing.
The Deputy may recall that I provided statistics, as set out below, in relation to learner drivers driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver in response to his question on 15 May 2012.
|
Year |
Summonsed |
Convicted |
Average fine |
Maximum Fine |
|
2009 |
2,751 |
446 |
€150.38 |
No |
|
2010 |
3,447 |
718 |
€156.41 |
No |
|
2011 |
3,150 |
854 |
€149.70 |
No |
