Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

72. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of drivers disqualified in 2018, 2019 and between 1 January to 31 July 2020; the number who surrendered their licence to the RSA in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24625/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The tabular table below provides the data requested by the Deputy. 

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

75. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if road traffic law has been amended making it an offence for a learner permit holder to drive on a motorway; the penalty for the offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24628/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is an offence for a learner driver to drive on a motorway.  There has been no recent amendment of the law in this regard.

Section 43 of the Roads Act 1993 empowers the Minister to prescribe in regulations who may have access to motorways.  Regulation 7(2)(a) of Roads Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 119 of 1994), made under the 1993 Act powers, specifies that a driver of a vehicle accessing a motorway must hold a licence, i.e. a full driving licence and not a learner permit.  Failure to comply with regulations made under section 43 is an offence, and an offender is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000. 

The reason why we prohibit learners from driving on motorways is a judgement that motorways are not an appropriate environment for such inexperienced and unqualified drivers.  It is therefore safer for them and for other road users for them not to have access to motorways.  I am aware that a different view is taken in some other jurisdictions, but this is a judgement call and I have no plans to change the Irish law in this respect. 

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of learner drivers disqualified in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 having exceeded the maximum seven penalty points; the number that surrendered their permit in each year to the RSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24629/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The details for the number of learner drivers disqualified having exceeded the maximum of seven penalty points in 2018, 2019 and to date 2020 and the number who subsequently surrendered their permit in each of the years is provided in the tabular table below.