Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2013
160. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 779 of 16 January 2013, when he expects to receive a report on the figures from January 2012 to June 2012 providing a breakdown on the district courts that are enforcing section 63 of the 2010 Road Traffic Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3485/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I previously advised the Deputy, the Courts Service has put in place arrangements to ensure that summonses issued since May 2012 include wording to advise persons charged with an offence under the Road Traffic Acts to bring their driving licence together with a photocopy of the licence when they are attending court. I am informed that the Courts Service has communicated with the judiciary to facilitate an arrangement that defendants who appear before the court are requested in court to produce their driving licence and a copy thereof to the court registrar for the purpose of having the driving licence number recorded. The Deputy will appreciate that the Courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court case is a matter for the presiding judge.
The interim report did not include the breakdown sought by the Deputy. I am informed that, in preparing the report, the Service has due regard to the independence of the judiciary. The Service has, as already indicated, commenced the process of putting in place arrangements to ensure, insofar as is possible, within its remit, that the provisions of the Act can be implemented to best possible effect. The Service has stated that work is ongoing in this area and has undertaken to provide a further update by the end of July 2013.
